A maintenance worker approaches a piece of machinery that has broken down. But instead of opening a heavy service manual, unfolding bulky schematics drawings, or struggling with outdated plans, he simply puts on a pair of glasses and has all the information and technical detail he needs instantly.
A futuristic science fiction fantasy? No, this type of augmented reality is already here and being used by companies worldwide.
Less Time, More Information
Keeping machines and systems running optimally and eliminating downtime is essential to any business’s success. High-tech augmented reality systems that use smart glasses, tablets or even smartphones speed up repairs, reduce the amount of time equipment and systems are out of service, and give workers the digital tools they need to do their jobs more efficiently.
While augmented reality is still in its infancy — Google’s much-vaunted Google Glass has yet to catch on among consumers — companies like Beumer Group, of Somerset, New Jersey — currently are developing new ways to implement the systems into today’s manufacturing, warehousing and transportation industries.
‘Wearable Technology’
The way it works is simple: Built-in cameras on smartphones, tablets or special sets of glasses capture an image of what they are viewing, instantaneously identify it, then pull up relevant information that the user can use to learn more about what they are seeing.
For example, a tourist walking down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue sees the famed Water Tower. The device they are wearing or carrying can instantly scan the structure and provide as much information as the viewer wants: How tall is it? When was it built? What did it look like 100 years ago? What historical role did it play in the city’s development?
Business Applications
The same concept works for businesses. Workers using devices such as augmented reality eyeglasses can scan objects, vehicles, and systems and instantly get all the information they need to enhance their knowledge to do their jobs better, faster, and more efficiently, according to Dr. Andreas Warner, Beumer Group’s director of research and development.
“The technician looks at the defective part and can immediately call up every related manuals or goods in stock,” Warner said in a company news release. “Every possible step is displayed. In the event of very complex processes, he can call a colleague by using the smart glasses and solve the problem together via live stream.”
A live view of what the worker is seeing can also be transmitted in real time to anybody anywhere in the world, or recorded for playback at any time in the future.
A New Age of High-Tech Devices
But we are only at the beginning of a new age of wearable technology that features augmented reality. For many businesses and industries, it’s going to be a learning process.
“When implementing these wearable computer systems into intralogistics, you have to consider aspects like information security, ergonomic interfaces, and suitable IT structures,” Warner said. “The goal is to ensure a sustainable added value for companies and customers.”