Edge IoT Industrial Immersive Technologies and Spatial Computing Continuum

This position paper on edge Internet of Things (IoT) industrial immersive technologies created by the Alliance for IoT and Edge Computing Innovation (AIOTI) aims to provide the vision of the convergence of edge IoT, artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins (DT), immersive triplets (IMT), intelligent mesh connectivity, IoT of senses (IoTS), software-defined automation (SDA) and spatial computing technologies to create an industrial real-digital-virtual continuum. Such continuum is made of immersive environments, which are computer-generated virtual worlds where users can sense as if they were physically embodied in that generated perception context.

The convergence of these technologies into industrial immersive solutions advances the integration and application of edge intelligent immersive technologies combining augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and extended reality (XR) with concepts like metaverses, omniverse, multiverses, next generation spatial web, Web 4.0 as part of future virtual worlds.
Such convergence of industrial immersive technologies at the edge can improve efficiency,
reduce downtime, enhance safety, and better decision-making in industrial settings. However,
to be effectively deployed, it both requires a strong interdisciplinary collaboration and presents
challenges like robust hardware (HW) design and cost-effective availability, data security and
privacy preserving methods, and effective industrial workflow integration. As technology
advances, the adoption of such convergence in industry is expected to grow, offering
transformative benefits across various sectors and vertical markets, including industrial
manufacturing, product operations, design and maintenance, training and collaboration, data
visualisation, mobility and logistic, energy, automotive, aerospace, and healthcare.
The EU recognises Web 4.0 as a revolutionary technological shift toward an immersive,
seamlessly interconnected world, viewing virtual worlds as a critical transition component
[12][13][11]. Swift technological progress in edge IoT, AI, immersive technologies, and enhanced
connectivity infrastructure have enabled the feasibility of virtual worlds. These virtual
environments are key to the EU Digital Decade targets [16], influencing how individuals live,
work, create, and share content and how businesses function, innovate, produce, and engage
with consumers.
Edge IoT industrial immersive technologies create or imitate the physical world through digital
simulation (Phygital [1]) and virtual sensations giving the user a unique experience of the threedimensional (3D) spatial computing environment. Phygital is a mix of "physical" and "digital,"
combining the physical and digital worlds to complete one mixed experience.
Edge spatial computing (ESC) is a novel computing paradigm focusing on understanding and
interacting with the physical world in a 3D space close to the source. Spatial computing
encompasses the processes and tools for capturing, processing, and interacting with 3D data.
These technologies enable human-computer interaction that simulates interactions in real-world
physical environments rather than being limited to screens and machines.
ESC enhances the capabilities of autonomous edge IoT devices, robotics, and machines to
interact more naturally with humans. It integrates with VR, AR, MR, XR, natural user interface,
contextual, affective, and ubiquitous computing in a 3D space, utilising computer, and
machine/computer vision to comprehend real-world scenarios.
The topics presented in this AIOTI position paper are aligned with the AIOTI Strategic Research
and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and illustrate the evolution of these topics into convergence
ingredients of edge industrial immersive technologies.