When people think of 360 virtual tours, they usually picture luxury hotels or apartments. But over the last few years I’ve seen a noticeable shift — more and more industrial and aerospace companies are asking for them.
These aren’t the flashy marketing tours you see for holiday resorts. Industrial 360 virtual tours are practical, detailed, and built for real business use.
I recently created a 360 virtual tour for Vertical Aerospace, the Bristol-based company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Even though it was a relatively small tour (one main portal with several hotspots), it showed me how valuable this format can be for complex industrial environments.
What Makes an Industrial 360 Virtual Tour Different
Unlike standard property tours, industrial 360 photography has to deal with challenging conditions — large open spaces, mixed lighting, safety restrictions, and the need to show technical detail clearly.
The best industrial 360 tours do three things well:
Show the true scale of the facility
Highlight the precision and processes involved
Give viewers a genuine sense of what it’s like to be there
For companies in manufacturing, engineering and aerospace, these tours are becoming useful tools for recruitment, investor updates, training, marketing, and remote collaboration.
A Real Example: Vertical Aerospace
The Vertical Aerospace tour I created focused on their early VX4 prototype inside the hangar.
Looking through the metal rigging gives a real sense of the scale and engineering detail involved in the VX4 prototype. This is exactly the kind of environment where industrial 360 virtual tours can bring complex facilities to life for people who can’t visit in person.
The calm, contemporary side of aerospace innovation. Vertical Aerospace’s modern open-plan office space shows the professional working environment behind the cutting-edge engineering happening in the hangars.
The calm, contemporary side of aerospace innovation. Vertical Aerospace’s modern open-plan office space shows the professional working environment behind the cutting-edge engineering happening in the hangars.
Behind every advanced aircraft is a skilled pilot. Here, one of Vertical Aerospace’s pilots stands in the hangar, ready to test the next generation of eVTOL technology.
Behind every advanced aircraft is a skilled pilot. Here, one of Vertical Aerospace’s pilots stands in the hangar, ready to test the next generation of eVTOL technology.
Other Industrial Applications I’ve Seen
From my work photographing factories and production lines, I can see 360 virtual tours being particularly useful for automotive plants, precision engineering facilities, aerospace manufacturing, and large logistics centres.
Even large vehicles like this electric truck are methodically prepared and inspected. Here it sits safely elevated on red jacks inside the hangar, part of the structured workflow that keeps everything moving efficiently.
The precision and scale of high-end manufacturing is impressive to see up close. Here, technicians work on Rolls-Royce vehicles along the assembly line inside a vast, highly technical facility.
The next generation of skilled manufacturing talent. A young apprentice gaining hands-on experience on the Rolls-Royce assembly line — images like this are increasingly important for companies focusing on recruitment and showcasing their future workforce.
The Technical Side
For industrial environments I shoot with professional DSLR cameras to achieve the highest possible resolution and natural perspective. The resulting tours are fully interactive, with custom hotspots, branding options, and compatibility across all devices including VR headsets.
Because I also shoot still industrial photography, I understand how to blend the two formats so the 360 tour feels like a natural extension of the brand’s visual identity.
Is an Industrial 360 Virtual Tour Right for Your Facility?
If you run or work in a manufacturing plant, engineering workshop, aerospace facility or similar operation, a well-made 360 virtual tour can be a surprisingly powerful asset.
It’s not about having the biggest or flashiest tour — it’s about showing the reality of what you do in a way that’s accessible to people who can’t physically visit.
As explored in a recent article by Woods Bagot and Deloitte on immersive design, virtual and 360° technologies are increasingly helping industrial and engineering teams collaborate more effectively and give stakeholders a better understanding of complex facilities before they are built or modified. Read the article on immersive design in business →
Would you like to discuss whether a 360 virtual tour could be useful for your facility? I’m always happy to have an initial conversation with no pressure or obligation.
You can get in touch via the contact form or email me directly at deanwrightphotography@gmail.com.