Augmented reality
In the manufacturing industry
Digital transformation
In the manufacturing industry

Digital Transformation in Manufacturing Industry

Integrating cutting-edge digital technologies, such as augmented reality and assisted reality, is driving automation in the global manufacturing industry. Digital transformation in the manufacturing industry empowers frontline workers and enables businesses to address challenges, such as the safety of workers, knowledge gaps, and geographically-dispersed teams. 

Challenges

Ageing Workforce

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.

Workers’ Safety

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.

Communication Gap

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.

Ageing Workforce

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.

Workers’ Safety

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.

Communication Gap

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.

Solutions

Knowledge transfer with assisted reality solutions

With a significant portion of the manufacturing workforce retiring, there is an urgent need for effective and streamlined knowledge transfer within companies. Digital transformation in the manufacturing industry is driving businesses to implement augmented reality to retain valuable information and key corporate insights within the company, even if it means remotely. Using AR in the manufacturing industry accelerates the knowledge transfer process and improves the dissemination of tacit knowledge to a new generation of workers. Assisted reality solutions feature hands-free, voice-enabled technology for workers and remote experts to connect and share relevant data in real-time.

Enhanced safety levels with hands-free, voice-enabled wearables

Digital transformation in the manufacturing industry supports safety requirements via assisted reality solutions. Smart wearables with hands-free and voice-enabled technology allow workers to perform tasks without any need to carry handheld devices. These wearables are rugged and durable to withstand the harsh working environment and facilitate the user to concentrate in the high-noise environment via noise-cancellation technology. Users also have the opportunity to seek remote expert guidance, navigate through training manuals or technical documents and gain access to the digital workflow without using their hands, which adds to the safety of on-field employees. 

Streamlined communication with remote guidance and virtual assist

Augmented reality in the 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.

Worker in an industry wearing wearable technology headset

KEY BENEFITS

Improves productivity and operational efficiency

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.

KEY BENEFITS

Improves safety

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.

KEY BENEFITS

Reduces costs

The ability to connect with remote experts via a head-worn device has changed the way businesses carry out fundamental operations in the manufacturing industry. AR in the manufacturing industry saves travelling costs, as experts can train, perform audits and assist in fixes from any location. 

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