COMOS WalkInside
Walkinside is an integrated software solution that combines the plant engineering and management capabilities of COMOS with the 3D virtual reality visualization of Walkinside. The combination creates a comprehensive digital twin of a facility, which can be used for operator training, maintenance, and plant optimization throughout its entire lifecycle.
Walkinside: The 3D visualization engine
Walkinside is a powerful 3D virtual reality (VR) visualization tool that brings the static data from COMOS to life. It provides an intuitive, game-like interface that allows users to “walk through” and explore a digital replica of the plant. Siemens acquired the developer of Walkinside, VRcontext, in 2011, integrating the technology into the COMOS suite.
Realistic visualization: The software processes massive 3D CAD models from the engineering phase to produce highly realistic, detailed representations of a facility, like an oil rig or processing plant.
Intuitive navigation: Walkinside’s “First Person Mode” allows for real-time navigation with features like collision detection and gravity, creating an immersive, true-to-life experience.
Multi-source data integration: Walkinside can pull information from various sources, including engineering databases, maintenance systems, and real-time operational data from ERP and SCADA applications.
Applications
How COMOS + Walkinside work together
The integration of COMOS and Walkinside creates an intelligent, interactive digital twin that adds significant value beyond traditional data visualization.
Creation of the digital twin: COMOS acts as the single source of truth, gathering all engineering and plant data into its central database. Walkinside then imports and visualizes this data, creating a realistic, navigable 3D model of the plant.
Contextualized information: When exploring the 3D model, users can interact with virtual equipment to access its complete COMOS data, including P&IDs, operational manuals, maintenance records, and real-time performance metrics. This turns the raw data into actionable insights.
Immersive training simulations: The combined solution, specifically the “COMOS Walkinside Immersive Training Simulator,” is a key feature.
Pre-commissioning training: Operators can familiarize themselves with the plant layout and equipment location before construction is complete, significantly reducing on-site training time.
Emergency response: The simulator can be used to practice responses to dangerous scenarios like fires or gas leaks in a risk-free virtual environment, improving personnel safety and emergency preparedness.
Standard procedures: Operators can practice standard operating procedures, such as valve opening sequences, to ensure consistency and minimize errors.
Remote collaboration and operations: Project teams and remote experts can use the Walkinside viewer to conduct virtual plant walk-downs, design reviews, and maintenance planning without needing to travel to the physical site.
Efficient maintenance and operations: By overlaying real-time operational data onto the 3D model, operators can use the digital twin as a “3D Asset Portal.” They can quickly see the status of equipment, identify issues, and plan maintenance activities with a complete picture of the surrounding environment.
