The Virtual Learning Factory

ABOUT

Funded by NSF, this collaborative project focuses on developing an extended reality (XR) virtual factory to support adaptive problem-solving and personalized learning. The project integrates immersive VR/AR environments with sensor-based data (e.g., eye tracking and motion tracking) to create realistic manufacturing scenarios and study how individuals and teams learn, adapt, and solve complex problems. The outcomes will advance human-centered manufacturing education by enabling data-driven insights into learning processes and informing the design of next-generation immersive training systems.

Project Team

Dr. Faisal Aqlan (UofL)

Dr. Hui Yang (PSU)

Dr. Jason Saleem (UofL)

Dr. Marci DeCaro (UofL)

Dr. Karen Murphy (PSU)

Dr. Richard Zhao (Calgary)

Dr. Alejandra Magana (Purdue)

Sample Videos from the Virtual Learning Factory

Sample Video 1 (VR)

Sample Video 2 (VR)

Sample Video 3 (AR)

Sample Video 4 (Digital Twin)

Publications

Begum, R., Hamado, N., Aqlan, F., Zhao, R., Yang, H., Saleem, J., DeCaro, M. and Murphy, K., 2025. Collaborative virtual learning factory for advanced manufacturing: investigating user experience and team dynamics. Manufacturing Letters.
Yang, H., Aqlan, F. and Zhao, R., 2025. Towards Smart Manufacturing Metaverse via Digital Twinning in Extended Reality. Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, pp.1-18.
Sparks, D., Begum, R., Aqlan, F., Saleem, J. and DeCaro, M.S., 2025. Exploring team dynamics in virtual reality environments. IISE Transactions on Occupational Ergonomics and Human Factors, 13(2), pp.122-136.
Leali, N., Begum, R., Nath, A.R. and Aqlan, F., 2025. Analysis of Adaptive Problem-Solving in Multiplayer Virtual Reality Manufacturing Systems. In IISE Annual Conference. Proceedings (pp. 1-6). Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).
Begum, R. and Aqlan, F., 2025. Function Allocation in Human-Machine Teaming: A Systematic Review. In IISE Annual Conference. Proceedings (pp. 1-6). Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).
Begum, R. and Aqlan, F., 2025. Evaluating Team Efficiency in Manufacturing Industry Using Data Envelopment Analysis. In IISE Annual Conference. Proceedings (pp. 1-6). Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE).

Awards

Best Poster Award (second place), MakeIt! Competition, ASEE Annual Conference, 2025. Organized by the ASEE Manufacturing Division and Sponsored by NSF and SME.
Best Track Paper Award (first place), Works Systems and Services Track, IISE Annual Conference, 2025.
Best Student Paper Award (first place), Works Systems and Services Track, IISE Annual Conference, 2025.
Best Track Paper Award (third place), Engineering Management Track, IISE Annual Conference, 2025.
Best Track Paper Award (third place), Works Systems and Services Track, IISE Annual Conference, 2024.
Best Research Poster Award, Annual NNCI Nano + Additive Manufacturing Summit, 2024. Digital Twins Project.
Best Research Poster Award, Annual NNCI Nano + Additive Manufacturing Summit, 2024. Virtual Factory Project.