Introduction to Augmented Reality in Manufacturing
Augmented reality (AR) is one of the vital exciting and impactful experiences making its way into today’s manufacturing industries. Because AR applications work on a mess of devices tailored to almost any environmental situation, AR is not any longer a restricted technology, or a tradeshow gimmick. In fact, even the Android or iOS devices we use in our day by day lives can provide the operational gateway to higher knowledge retention, smarter decision making, and improved safety.
What is Augmented Reality?
Unlike virtual reality, that creates a completely virtual environment around its users, augmented reality creates an illusion, as if virtual objects coexisted inside the physical world. Simply put, AR is a way to present operational information in a totally latest way – enveloped in an individual’s view of their real environment and acting as the right ‘digital assistant’. AR makes that digital assistance interactive, more practical to soak up, understand and act upon, since it relies on our innate mental capability to process an enormous variety of data from the physical world.
Real-World Applications of AR
Just a couple of years back, the perfect examples of AR may very well be present in gaming development. More recently sports like soccer, cricket and motor racing use AR to overlay statistics, game time and player information, speed etc. to reinforce the physical world with data that layers on additional knowledge to what we might normally see – and all in real-time. And the adoption trend continues, as increasingly people are actually using AR technology via mobile apps of their every-day life – from education and fitness to shopping and real estate.
Challenges in Implementing AR in Manufacturing
Unlike the mass market, manufacturers typically need a while before they’re able to dive into disruptive technology. This just isn’t because they dismiss the chances, but because workforce transformations may be hard, and industrial digital transformations may be even harder if not approached in the right way. To find a way to present information in a brand new way via AR, it first must be made relevant, accurate and simple to eat for the manufacturing workforce. It must operate in a secure environment in addition to being suitable for demanding industrial conditions, from extreme temperatures, noise or flying sparks, to helmets, gloves and other personal protective equipment which will interfere with voice or physical gesture commands.
Overcoming the Challenges
But most significantly it must deliver value. Industrial facilities shouldn’t have a look at the best way to embed AR technology into their facilities, as an alternative they need to start from the premise of ‘how can we make things faster, smarter, and safer’, and look to advancements in AR to support this – getting back to the dog wagging its own tail – allowing technology to support the end result, not determine it.
The Future of AR in Manufacturing
Despite some challenges, the primary industrial AR applications on mobile devices are increasingly shifting to hands-free wearables akin to head-mounted displays or smart glasses. AR headsets are projected to grow in unit sales from 170,000 in 2019 to three.9 million in 2024, and there aren’t any indications this adoption will slow. The first consumer AR headset with eye tracking is predicted later this 12 months. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) will change into available, in an incremental fashion, over the subsequent few years. It will increase bandwidth by an order of magnitude over 4G, further facilitating the adoption of high-definition (HD) video-streaming and AR.
Case Studies
There are several case studies that exhibit the effectiveness of AR in manufacturing. For example, ABB recently deployed its augmented reality solution, encompassing audio, video, document sharing and live annotations for distant factory acceptance testing (FAT) during tight COVID-19 travel restrictions. The cycloconverter upgrade at a steel mill in Spain was successfully accomplished, without ABB engineering visits to site. Another example is using AR to scan equipment that might be difficult or not possible to achieve. Advanced tracking software is capable of create a virtual 3D, fully immersive, digital twin of the equipment.
Benefits of AR in Manufacturing
The advantages of AR in manufacturing are quite a few. AR solutions can reduce and even eliminate time-intensive efforts that involve running through, sorting and categorising data in various formats, jumping out and in of assorted systems and coordinating with others when performing tasks within the control room, integrated operations centres, or in the sphere. AR also can improve productivity, safety, compliance, and training of the workforce. With the assistance of readily accessible AR technologies, manufacturers can improve the best way they perform tasks, make decisions, and interact with their environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, augmented reality is a robust tool that may transform the manufacturing industry. With its ability to present operational information in a brand new and interactive way, AR can improve knowledge retention, decision making, and safety. While there are challenges to implementing AR in manufacturing, the advantages far outweigh the prices. As the technology continues to evolve and improve, we are able to expect to see widespread adoption of AR within the manufacturing industry. With the assistance of AR, manufacturers could make their operations faster, smarter, and safer, and stay ahead of the competition in an increasingly digital world.
About the writer: Tyron Vardy joined ABB in 2022 as Global Digital Portfolio Leader for Process Industries. Prior to this, he was the Chief Product Officer for a world retail energy company, providing cloud-native solutions to gas and electricity suppliers all over the world. Before this, he worked for over 25 years in the method industry, creating, developing, and deploying process safety and operational integrity solutions throughout various industrial verticals.
