A Digital Teaching Platform for Virtual Reality and Industrial Data Science

Although industrial data science (IDS) and virtual reality (VR) have long been established in industrial practice, they are still largely absent from the curricula of technical degree programmes – especially in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering and architecture.

In digital, integrated factory planning in particular, the combination of big data, IDS and multi-objective optimisation offers great potential for increasing efficiency. VR makes these complex processes tangible. In conjunction with digital building simulations and production planning, a consistent digital image is created – right through to the digital twin (DT) or building information model (BIM), which combines interdisciplinary expertise.

This is where digiTeachVR comes in: the project is developing a digital, integrative learning platform that teaches theory and practice in IDS and VR in a targeted manner – interactively, practically and with a view to the future.

Why digiTeachVR?

• The combination of IDS, VR and BIM forms the basis for digital twins in planning and operation.
• VR visualises complex optimisation results such as production processes or logistics chains in an intuitive and understandable way.
• Until now, there has been no structured interdisciplinary training that teaches these digital technologies in an integrated way.
• TU Wien is setting a benchmark for modern teaching – practical, future-oriented and open to technology.

Project Description

digiTeachVR is a digital course that teaches application-oriented knowledge in the fields of virtual reality and industrial data science. The aim is to present complex planning processes – from building and production system simulation to factory optimisation – in an integrated and understandable way.

• Applied Expertise: Students from Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering–Mechanical Engineering, and Architecture at TU Wien gain in-depth knowledge in IDS, VR, and BIM, providing a clear advantage in entering a digitally transformed industry.
• Innovative Teaching Format: Development of a forward-looking academic programme supported by state-of-the-art digital infrastructure.
• Institutional Profile: Strengthens TU Wien’s position as an innovation leader in Industry 4.0 across the German-speaking region – in line with its mission “Technology for People”.
• Hybrid Learning Environment: Seamless integration of theory and practice through a blended teaching format delivered via a digital knowledge and learning platform.

Vision

digiTeachVR is more than a teaching module – it is a contribution to future-oriented engineering education. TU Wien is thus positioning itself as an innovation driver in the DACH region and making the potential of Industry 4.0 directly tangible for research and teaching.