Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO showcased approaches to industrial collaboration in the metaverse at HANNOVER MESSE 2026.
The approaches incorporate immersive visualizations, photorealistic AI avatars, and digital twins to support collaboration on products, services, and innovations. According to the researchers, these technologies are already delivering tangible benefits for companies.
A key exhibit was the Multiviewer Collaborative Powerwall, which enables multiple users to simultaneously view and analyze three-dimensional objects from different perspectives in real time.
Another highlight was the interactive AI avatars, including the digital twin of Joseph von Fraunhofer. The photorealistic, voice-enabled avatar demonstrates how specialized and experiential knowledge can be made available and used interactively in the metaverse in the future—embedded in a highly detailed virtual reconstruction of historical rooms at the Benediktbeuern Monastery.
At the Persona Check, visitors were able to see how product and service ideas can be realistically simulated, validated, and specifically optimized using AI personas.
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