Virtual Reality in Logistics Industry

- Student Name: Tang Yuen Kai, Mike
- Student Number: 95063764



We are imagine that the computer can truly enhance the functioning of the human mindset? Both of steel and silicon can be so harmonized with the chemistry of the brain, that one integrate with the other. If human intelligence is partially shaped by the environment, can a highly enriched virtual environment augment human intelligence?

At its essence, this is almost the same asking," Is there such as thing as a cognitive technology?" We can take a glance inside the 3D world of virtual reality (VR) and observe the vision of intelligence augmentation through immersive VR technology.

Virtual Reality is as cognitive technology.

The claim that virtual reality may augment human intelligence which is based on the increasingly compelling, sensory fidelity of virtual worlds. Computer graphics and kinematics capture more and more of the physical and sensory characteristics of natural environments respond to user actions: the link of physical movement to sensory feedback increasingly simulates human action in a natural environment. We have confidence in the cognitive potency of these environments results in part from the very experience of the medium, the deep gut level reaction the users feel when immersed in high-end VR systems. This experience suggests to some that VR has crossed a threshold never reached by older media.

Virtual reality gives the user a strong sense of " being there" inside the virtual world. The senses are immersed in an illusion. The mind is swathed in a cocoon of its own creation. The word, " presence" has come to mean the perceptual and cognitive sensation of being physically present in compelling virtual world.


Intelligence Augmentation (IA) versus Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Looking at the whole human enterprise of computer design, we can pick out three competing visions of the computer.

1) the creation of an artificial mind, Artificial Intelligence (AI),
2) the creation of a mind tool, Intelligence Augmentation (IA),
3) the control of nature, machines, and telecommunication, Control and Communication(CandC).

The opposition between artificial intelligence and intelligence augmentation is particularly revealing of the motivation behind the design of VR.

Artificial Intelligence is the knowledge management that AI wants to internalize artificial consciousness in a machine. Intelligence Augmentation is the intelligence tool. IA wants to externalize human consciousness in a machine.

AI focuses on the detached mind to emphasize abstract decision making. IA focuses on the mind/body in a context to emphasize the thinking through the senses.

AI simulates cognitive operations to produce an independent machine. IA simulates cognitive environments to produce a dependent machine.

Virtual Reality Technology and Augment Reality Technology

The VR technology provides an interacting environment for modeling and simulating operation activities by means of the 3-dimensional (3D) visualization in the computerized electronic system. As a result, this enables in controlling the logistics operation process and in making decisions effectively at the port container terminal and the warehouse.

VR technology integrates with the Augmented Reality (AR) by adding virtual layers of contextual information at the right place in the right time at the electronic devices. AR will provide new perspectives in visual analysis, logistics planning, process execution.
, logistics planning, process execution.

Both virtual reality and augmented reality are similar in the goal of immersing the user, though both systems to this in different ways. With AR, users continue to be in touch with the real world while interacting with virtual objects around them. With VR, the user is isolated form the real world while immersed in a world that is completely fabricated. As it stands VR might work better for video games and social networking in virtual environment.

I believe both AR and VR will succeed. however, AR might have more commercial success though, because it does not completely take people out of the real world.

At Port Container Terminal

Due to the advances of container logistics in global economy today, the port container terminals are essential to integrate with the global transportation network. The core competence of container terminals has moved towards to information management paradigm. The main purposes are both of the cost efficiency and the time effectiveness.

In the meantime, an effective systematic information sharing strategy is common concern in the real world. Which is in terms of information acquisition and processing. It involves the data communication and storage. Finally, the display and analysis are most important. We have resolve the above issues to make it turn into virtual reality.

As a result, it is a great idea to employ the virtual reality (VR) technology and geographical information system (GIS) in global supply chain, to resolve these impacts so as to enhance the efficiency of port logistics. Hence, the VR based information sharing infrastructure, which has been used in container terminal operation and control.

At Warehouse

In intra-logistics, Augmented Reality promised to become a tangible technology with higher impact than previously predicted, often guiding and accelerating precise hands-free activities.

As more and more wearable consumer devices arrived on the market, such as glasses, watches, and even intelligent fabrics, Augmented Reality application in logistics become more likely to achieve a faster-than-expected return on investment.

The wearable devices (together with responsive environments and contextual apps) will in the long run significantly change the ways we work and manage our lives and will impact all industries. Enterprises need to develop some strategies for adopting wearable devices.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

The virtual reality can turn the imagination world into the reality. VR can allow precise control stimulus VR based information sharing infrastructure, which has been used in container terminal/ warehouse operation and control.

Weaknesses

Present technology is advance comparing to the old world. But it is still limited to support the total solution of virtual reality system. There are the limited field of view and resolution in head/body-mounted display can be limited using of the VR system.

Opportunities

This is a disruptive technology to benefit the mankind. It leads the human being who senses the world totally different dimensions. There is the huge demand of interactive digital area. It drives the development of high quality and relatively low cost graphics to make the VR deliverable. Most of them can be use in the computer and the advance electronic devices.

Threats

Nowadays, the VR equipment is relatively too expensive to the logistics corporate in the operation. 

Conclusion

In the view of SWOT analysis suggests that the VR based information sharing system in logistics is still in an early stage of development. The VR strengths increase performance of logistics application in supplier chain management. Weaknesses are existing in the limitation of interface and display technologies. The threat of high cost in VR technology and equipment need to be addressed. There are huge opportunities in this logistics environment. 

   

Reference

Barbara Gorayska, Jacob L. Mey,  1996. Cognitive technology: in search of a humane interface.  Publisher Amsterdam ; New York : North Holland, Elsevier Science B.V.

Jennifer Romano Bergstrom, Andrew Jonathan Schall, 2014. Eye tracking in user experience design / Imprint Waltham, MA : Morgan Kaufmann

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Accessed on 4 May, 2015