Integrating augmented reality in manufacturing is revolutionizing the industry by driving automation and enhancing efficiency. This digital transformation empowers frontline workers, helping businesses overcome challenges like worker safety, knowledge gaps, and the complexities of managing geographically-dispersed teams. With the adoption of augmented reality, manufacturing companies can streamline operations, improve training, and create safer, more connected work environments.
The manufacturing industry is currently battling a unique challenge – an ageing workforce. Research studies report that approximately 25 per cent of the industry’s workforce is 55 years or older. It means that nearly one-fourth of the entire workforce will retire in the upcoming ten years, leaving organisations with the loss of valuable knowledge and information.
Every working environment has its own dangers, but safety is the biggest concern in the manufacturing industry, specifically with workers around heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals and sharp objects. The risks of working elevate further when workers are forced to carry handheld devices in such sensitive environments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prioritise workers’ protection and safety in the manufacturing environment.
While the pandemic halted global business operations, it made organisations realise the need to strengthen digital connectivity. Mobility restrictions delayed operations and pointed out the biggest gap in the industrial sector – ineffective communication between geographically-dispersed teams, remote experts and frontline workers. If the team fails to communicate in time, the delay could lead to significant losses for the company.
The manufacturing industry is currently battling a unique challenge – an ageing workforce. Research studies report that approximately 25 per cent of the industry’s workforce is 55 years or older. It means that nearly one-fourth of the entire workforce will retire in the upcoming ten years, leaving organisations with the loss of valuable knowledge and information.
Every working environment has its own dangers, but safety is the biggest concern in the manufacturing industry, specifically with workers around heavy machinery, hazardous chemicals and sharp objects. The risks of working elevate further when workers are forced to carry handheld devices in such sensitive environments. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prioritise workers’ protection and safety in the manufacturing environment.
While the pandemic halted global business operations, it made organisations realise the need to strengthen digital connectivity. Mobility restrictions delayed operations and pointed out the biggest gap in the industrial sector – ineffective communication between geographically-dispersed teams, remote experts and frontline workers. If the team fails to communicate in time, the delay could lead to significant losses for the company.
As a significant portion of the manufacturing workforce approaches retirement, the need for efficient knowledge transfer within companies has become critical. Augmented reality in manufacturing is playing a pivotal role in addressing this challenge by enabling businesses to preserve valuable information and key insights, even in remote environments. By utilizing AR, manufacturers can accelerate the knowledge transfer process, ensuring that tacit knowledge is effectively shared with the new generation of workers. Assisted reality solutions offer hands-free, voice-enabled technology, allowing workers and remote experts to connect and exchange crucial data in real time.
AR in manufacturing enhances safety by providing assisted reality solutions. Smart wearables, equipped with hands-free and voice-enabled technology, enable workers to perform tasks without the need for handheld devices. Designed to be rugged and durable, these wearables can withstand harsh environments and feature noise-cancellation technology to help users focus in high-noise settings. Additionally, workers can access remote expert guidance, navigate through training manuals or technical documents, and follow digital workflows—all without using their hands, further improving the safety and efficiency of on-field employees.
Augmented reality in manufacturing industry is streamlining communication between remote experts and frontline teams. AR industrial head-worn devices allow frontline workers to collaborate with remote experts in real-time using video applications. Via video collaboration, organisations can increase digital connectivity, reduce travel costs and handle equipment downtime. AR-driven digital transformation in the manufacturing industry enables experts to train, pinpoint exact issues and perform audits without any need to travel and mark their physical presence.
AR-driven digital transformation in the manufacturing industry allows workers to access the right information and seek assistance from the right people. With remote expert guidance and virtual assistance, on-site workers can reduce equipment downtime and fix a broken machine, which adds to organisational productivity and operational efficiency.
AR smart wearables improve safety in all industrial environments. These wearables display information in the field of users’ vision and are also adjustable to move away from the view. The user can entirely focus on the task, as AR in the manufacturing industry offers noise-cancellation, hands-free and voice-activation technology. The wearables are also compatible with hard hats, eyewear and hazmat suits.
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