Aura 3D® – Extended/Augmented Reality with Palfinger: A crane in a china shop? From your pocket? Why?

We've all heard of, or even used, the saying "a bull in a china shop." This story is about two things that simply don't belong together: a sturdy elephant in a fragile environment. A situation that will never actually occur. Things and situations that just don't fit together. A situation where the elephant has no chance and can only look clumsy and awkward, which is usually interpreted as boorish behavior. In the end, every comparison always leaves a pile of broken glass.

In short: impossible.

During my childhood, however, I mainly asked myself a different question: How did the elephant get into the china shop?

When you see a crane in a china shop, you question not only its apparent impossibility but also its purpose. What's the point, anyway? In the realm of extended or augmented reality, nothing is impossible anymore, where the digital and real worlds merge into one.

Anyone who deals not with porcelain, but with robust elephants like heavy and oversized machinery, knows the problem: How do you explain the details and advantages to someone when you're not standing right in front of it? Of course, there are brochures or similar presentation methods. At trade fairs, due to space limitations, it's only possible to a limited extent to position all products and machines in an ideal way. The competition has done this, and continues to do so. Anyone who doesn't have the right crane right next to them ultimately risks failing to make a decisive impact and losing potential customers and prospects in the perceived randomness of the market.

Manipulator Palfinger Inman IT150 – Image: Palfinger / Art Konovalov|Shutterstock.com

Anyone who can reach into their pocket and use the SmarVu app from Vuframe on their smartphone to present their products and machines anytime, anywhere, can decisively position their unique selling proposition and the advantages of their products and machines. No matter where, anywhere, far removed from any competition.

Related to this:

• Vuframe® Studio – The platform of unlimited 3D possibilities

Palfinger's XR app was originally developed in collaboration with an agency. However, Palfinger is constantly evolving its products, and to reflect these changes in the app, the company had to continually consult the agency – incurring ongoing costs.

Furthermore, two important requirements could not yet be met:

• Complex, animated 3D models of the lifting machines could not yet be compressed as small as desired without a loss of visual quality.
• The question of data security for the generated 3D models, which were created from design data, has also not yet been adequately answered.

Palfinger therefore turned to Vuframe® because the Vuframe platform allows for independent management of the app and, thanks to its proprietary Aura technology, is unique on the market in terms of data compression and data security.

Related to this:

• Success story: PALFINGER goes XR

Why not kill two birds with one stone, instead of continuing to use numbing drops?

The XR app solution kills two birds with one stone and serves two use cases at once – it is both a sales solution and a digital customer service solution.

Palfinger crane in 3D, augmented & virtual reality – Image: Palfinger/palfingerepsilon.com

Applications in various areas:

• The app allows sales staff to present the product portfolio in 3D and augmented reality. These digital twins simplify logistical challenges, especially in large crane construction projects.
• The app's so-called AR marker recognizes videos embedded in operating manuals, which serve to illustrate Palfinger machines and, for example, visually explain processes. A classic, physical manual is thus digitally supplemented for the customer. Palfinger then manages the content of the AR marker, as well as the app structure, itself in the Vuframe® Studio.

App Download

By selecting the AR marker in the Palfinger XR app, customers can use their smartphone or tablet camera to access additional digital information from the operating manual. This usually consists of embedded videos that visually explain a specific procedure for operating or maintaining the respective crane.

The advantage: The videos are already embedded in the correct section of the operating instructions, eliminating the need to search for specific models and applications, for example on the Palfinger website, to find out about certain procedures or processes. All that's required is a mobile device, ensuring customers receive the necessary information even when standing directly in front of the machine.

Demo video of the Palfinger XR app

Furthermore, the use of Vuframe software ensures standardized processes, making changes straightforward. Thanks to the automation integrated into the solution, manual effort is kept to a minimum, which further reduces costs and enables faster implementation.

Founded in 1932, the company is known worldwide for its innovative, reliable, and economical lifting solutions used in commercial vehicles, ships, and stationary installations. Innovation, further internationalization of products, processes, and services, and flexibility are the three pillars of the company's strategy, which have already been implemented. To effectively address the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation, a fourth pillar has been added to this proven strategy: Palfinger 21st represents new core competencies, new approaches, new products, services, and business models for the digital age.

Palfinger at a glance:

• €1,534 million in revenue in 2020
• 10,824 employees worldwide
• 34 manufacturing and assembly sites
• 5,000 service points

Figures for the Palfinger XR app

• Over 8,000 app downloads (iOS and Android)
• Over 20,000 accesses to the 3D visualizations (SmartVu®)
• Over 130,000 page views

Palfinger XR App – The modes in detail

Palfinger XR app – The modes in detail – Image: Palfinger/palfingerepsilon.com

More information here:

• Discover the highlights of the latest Palfinger cranes in 3D, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)
• Smartview: Product photo 4.0 / Product image 4.0