Apparatus and Method for Immersive Computer Interaction

An arrangement for immersive human computer interaction with a virtual mechanical operator of an industrial automation arrangement in a virtual reality, the arrangement being configured to transmit input information to a component of the industrial automation arrangement as a result of the interaction with the virtual mechanical operator, the arrangement comprising:

• a system for creating and visualizing the virtual reality, the mechanical operator being replicated in the virtual reality;
• a simulation device for a rigid-body simulation of the virtual mechanical operator;
• wherein the virtual reality is configured to detect the interaction with a represented virtual mechanical operator, second parameters relating to a simulated physical effect on the virtual mechanical operator being calculated from first parameters of the detected virtual interaction;
• wherein the virtual reality is further configured to transmit the second parameters to the simulation device which is configured to simulate a movement of at least a part of the virtual mechanical operator via the modelled virtual mechanical operator based on the second parameters;
• wherein the simulation device is configured to decide whether a switching state change of the virtual mechanical operator has been produced by the simulated movement;
• and
• wherein the simulation device is further configured to report the switching state change or the switching state as the input information to the component at least when the switching state change occurs.