Swinburne enters the metaverse with factory digital twin

Through a partnership with CWX Technologies, Swinburne University of Technology’s Factory of the Future will be the latest space to enter the metaverse.

CWX will create 3D digital twins of the production systems in Swinburne’s factory to improve manufacturing efficiency and introduce Industry 4.0 technologies to SMEs across Australia.

Swinburne Vice President, Innovation and Enterprise Werner van der Merwe said the partnership will boost the university in enterprise metaverse movement.

“As a technology-focused university, we are driven by finding innovative ways to utilise cutting-edge technologies to build a better future,” van der Merwe said. “We are thrilled to partner with CWX to apply this emerging technology in new and impactful ways and create additional opportunities for our many industry partners who utilise the Factory of the Future.”

CWX will work with Swinburne’s Digital Innovation Lab and researchers on intelligent manufacturing processes, system engineering, artificial intelligence and advanced image processing to help shape future applications of metaverse technologies for manufacturing and enterprise.

The partnership will fast-track the translation of research into sustainable solutions for the manufacturing and utilities industry through the Factory of the Future digital twin. This collaboration will also upskill students in the latest digital and manufacturing tools and techniques.

CWX Director Yuvraj Tomar said the partnership represents the best of industry and university collaboration.

“We are excited to work with Swinburne University of Technology at the forefront of the enterprise metaverse movement,” Tomar said. “This partnership is an opportunity for us to utilise our expertise in creating digital twins, and together with Swinburne, we can bring about innovative solutions that will pave the way for the future of industry 4.0.”

Associate Director of Swinburne’s Digital Innovation Lab Dr Abhik Banerjee said the collaboration is a first step to improving manufacturing efficiency across the sector and will aid the development of innovative digital manufacturing solutions.

“By leveraging our shared expertise in Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and Industry 4.0, the 3D digital twins will help us design new digital manufacturing solutions for Swinburne’s industry partners.”

Image credit: iStock.com/RomanBarkov