How industrial companies use augmented reality

Presenting large machines or products at trade fairs and sales meetings is usually difficult. They usually cannot be shown in operation and only in one configuration. Photos or videos have to make up for this, but these can rarely be tailored to the customer’s needs. This is where augmented reality comes in.

Appliances and larger machines can be configured directly at the trade fair stand to meet the customer’s needs and shown in AR via tablet. Product variants and technical adjustments can therefore be visualized directly. Of course, this does not necessarily have to happen at the trade fair, but can also take place during consultations directly with the customer on site.

Placing systems and machines is now one of the basics of AR and is no longer a novelty. The creation and implementation of such an application is inexpensive and quick to implement, but this is by no means the end of the possibilities.

Augmented reality is ideal for training on complex equipment. This makes it easier to train employees in specific processes and sequences. A study has found that specialists need around 43% less time to perform a task if they are trained on the Support for augmented reality than if the instructions were in paper form.

Augmented reality can not only provide support when training employees on new machines. Later on, the technology can also be used for maintenance work and servicing. Our Holotram project is an example of how AR can be used for maintenance and servicing. The proof of concept was created in 2017 in collaboration with Bombardier and VBZ. The technician can use AR glasses to check the streetcar for defects and call up and order spare parts directly in the interface of the AR environment where necessary.

This not only prevents unnecessary paperwork but has also demonstrably led to time savings. This use case would therefore have the potential to save several 100,000 francs a year. While the costs for implementing a productive application are in the low six-figure range.

Even the field service can benefit from AR. Activities that previously required traveling can now be carried out from the comfort of an office. Support can easily be provided virtually if both parties have a tablet with a corresponding app. Also Sales talks and consultations are possible.

This does not even require processed 3D models, as the inspection is carried out using the end device’s camera function. Neither preparation time nor reference points are required. This eliminates waiting times for the technical specialist for the customer and, conversely, saves the maintenance company travel and working time for its employees. This also offers several advantages for the specialists themselves, such as regular working hours, less travel and more flexibility – which is definitely an advantage for employers when recruiting in view of the shortage of skilled workers.

AR can also support day-to-day processes. For example, with live sensor data that either sounds an alarm or provides visual support at first glance. For example, a specialist can wander through a hall full of machines with the tablet’s camera and immediately recognize in red on the display which machine is overheating. Or you can scan the rows of shelves in the warehouse and immediately recognize in which compartment the stock level is too low. These may sound like relatively simple applications, but the time savings and increase in efficiency made possible by such “manual operations” are enormous.

When it comes to data, one topic is particularly important: data protection. Especially when sensitive customer data is involved or industrial espionage poses a real threat, it is worth opting for an on-premise solution. This means that the relevant data is all stored on the company’s own servers and not uploaded to the cloud. This ensures optimum protection of potentially sensitive data at all times.

Customers have various options for the target device, which offer advantages and disadvantages depending on the intended use. A tablet is sufficient for monitoring machines and systems or displaying specific show objects. Operation is simple, intuitive and already familiar to most users. This reduces the amount of training required to operate the software. However, as soon as users need to have their hands free, it is worth investing in AR glasses, for example for assembly or maintenance work.

Augmented reality not only saves time, but also ensures greater efficiency and safety. The technology offers support in sales, complex assembly tasks, collaboration and quality assurance and makes everyday processes in production and industrial companies noticeably easier. You

AR is no longer a dream of the future. “The technology has long been established abroad. And it can be used immediately “says Reto Senn, Partner at Bitforge. It is worth clarifying the extent to which savings and process improvements are possible in your own company using AR.

As a Swiss AR pioneer, we have over 10 years of experience in the development of augmented reality applications. For the use cases listed above, such as marketing & sales or remote support, we offer a range of solutions via our AR platform Yago easily customizable ready-to-use solutions that can be installed in the cloud or on-premise. We design and develop individual software solutions in collaboration with our customers for almost any other use case.

If you are interested in AR for your company, contact us for a free workshop in which we analyze your needs and goals and work out possible solutions together.