In the latest “TLC: Tom and Lonnie Chat,” hosts Dr. Tom Kurfess and Dr. Lonnie Love welcomed Russ Waddell, advisor on digital twin and simulation, for a thought-provoking conversation on the powerful — and surprising — connections between the video game industry and advanced manufacturing. What started as a lighthearted question about whether video games could lead to a career quickly turned into a deep dive on how gaming technologies — and the digital literacy they build — are reshaping the future of manufacturing. Waddell, a long-time advocate for applying game engine capabilities to industrial applications, explained how tools like Unreal Engine and Unity are already influencing areas like CNC path planning, robot collision avoidance, and high-fidelity simulation. The discussion emphasized how game engines offer not just visualization but serious potential for real-time decision-making and digital twin development. Physics-based technologies like ray tracing — originally designed to mimic how light behaves in games — could one day help predict tool wear or thermal expansion on the shop floor. As Waddell says, "The physics of gaming could very well be the physics of manufacturing." The hosts and guest also noted a gap between the worlds of gaming and manufacturing — both in knowledge and research. While simulation tools are gaining traction, a coherent roadmap connecting these two domains is still missing. Waddell shared insights from his work with the Alliance for OpenUSD, a standards organization moving from media and entertainment into industrial applications. He also underscored the importance of commercialization and integration over theory alone. The episode concluded with a clear call to action: this convergence is no longer hypothetical. AI-driven interfaces, modular simulation platforms, and industrial-grade visualization are on the horizon — and those who embrace them will gain a competitive edge. “It’s coming,” Waddell says, “and it won’t stop at the shop floor — it’ll expand across the entire enterprise.” Watch now and start rethinking what a “game-changer” really means. For more information on this topic please reach out to Russ Waddell.
Discover how gaming technology is reshaping manufacturing. From CNC simulation to digital twins, this crossover is more than play — it’s the future of innovation.
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