Tag Archives: VR

Tech, Wearables

Curious to Know What to Do With AR and VR? Look to the Artists

Most businesses are connected to the concept of using virtual and augmented reality in some capacity, and while the possibilities may seem endless, that concept also becomes quite overwhelming. Nailing down exactly what VR and AR can do for you may mean looking to where the technology is being used in its most creative form. At museums around the world, artists are stretching the limitations of this tech and it may be that through understanding their concepts one can find how best to employ these tools for their own purposes.

As museums create immersive concepts, pieces that allow for greater depth, and even some ways to change history, it’s crucial to consider what the best way to use this tech may be exploited for you. AR and VR are about to explode into everything from marketing and shopping to education and entertainment, and before that happens in earnest, it’s best to find out how you might explore the tech for your own purposes.

Below, Invaluable has an infographic showing innovations in AR and VR from museums around the world. All it takes is a small amount of imagination to see how this might connect to your and your own professional journey.

Hardware

Augmented Reality Becoming a Focus in Maintenance Technology

Augmented Reality, “an enhanced version of reality where live direct or indirect views of physical real-world environments are augmented with superimposed computer-generated images over a user’s view of the real world.”

The fourth industrial revolution is upon us and industries like manufacturing are taking advantage of AR technology to enhance employee experience, keep employees safer, and also close the knowledge gap.

Maintenance plays a vital role in industries like manufacturing. It has a direct influence on performance, productivity, and product quality; maintenance is a craft that is always being improved upon and now with the innovation of augmented reality, it can take maintenance to a whole other level.

Augmented Reality in Maintenance

Augmented Reality allows users to enhance their field of view with real-time super imposed digital information. This allows users to gain any/all information on an asset or step by step instructions on how to repair an asset, for example.

But before we dig into practical applications, let’s discuss the proven advantages of augmented reality maintenance.

Benefits

  • Reduced human errors
  • Reduced execution time
  • Reduced breakdowns
  • Reduced downtime
  • Reduced cost
  • Increased productivity
  • Increased operation speed
  • Increased fix rates
  • Increased compliance
  • Increased profit

These benefits prove true for the companies below that have already implemented augmented reality technology in their facility.

GE Aviation – Experiences an average of 8-12% in efficiency

GE Renewable Energy – Wiring technicians are yielding a 34% increase in productivity

These are just two examples of how AR is impacting the industry, but much has changed since the origins of the industrial revolution. From physical documentation, moving to the desktop, to the progression of mobile, to now wearable devices/technology.

AR powered solutions for maintenance and repair operations include:

  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Operator assembly instructions
  • Service inspection instructions
  • Detailed instructions for unfamiliar procedures
  • Compliance checklist
  • Corrective Maintenance
  • Service manual instructions
  • Remote assistance
  • Predictive Maintenance
  • Performance Panels
  • Real-time access to data: monitoring, control actions, disruptions, analytics

All the above have their own unique value, but let’s take a deeper look into the workforce and how AR is impacting engineers.

Technology in the Workforce

Facility managers are constantly looking at ways to increase productivity, decrease costs, and keep engineers safe on the job. These technologies below integrated with an EAM CMMS system can help achieve all those goals.

Infrared thermography allows engineers and mechanics to see electrical systems, mechanical equipment, building applications, and fluid systems through the use of thermovision. Engineers can spot faulty connections, abnormal motors, pipe temperatures and tank levels through this equipment showing different colors without having to touch the equipment. This reduces the risk of engineers getting hurt on the job.

A company called DAQRI is focused on AR technology and developed a wearable AR tech smart helmet for industrial use. Engineers can see 4D images above assets in their facilities that prompt them with instructions and also give them a mapping of all asset functionality. This wearable technology allows engineers to discover asset information faster and closes the knowledge gap for new hires.

Another company called UpSkill connects the workforce through augmented reality in its wearable technology guiding technicians in real-time to complete tasks, checklists, work orders, and send media to managers.

Finally, a company called Worklink has made it possible for the user to create their own smart instructions for assets to allow for less human error, increase safety, and also walk engineers step-by-step on repair processes. This can increase the time it takes to complete work by also complying with facility procedures.

This equipment is becoming more prevalent and as more machines becomes connected to the internet, approximately 50 billion machines will be connected on the internet by 2020 it becomes imperative facilities and industries adopt these devices and make them apart of their facility operations.

A CMMS has the capability to provide maintenance management and staff with an automated tool capable of scheduling inspections, preventive maintenance, managing inventory, work orders, and retrieval of recorded asset history.

Technicians can perform actual work with instructions on handhelds, enter how long it takes to complete work orders, filter through past work orders, and close out of the system. All the information is recorded in real-time, so managers can access the information instantaneously.

The ability to track your work, document it, and send it to managers could be paired with wearable technology, like the companies above, to get engineers an elevated view of assets through thermal technology or the ability to see instructions on assets and use that data to train new hires and not have to worry about on-boarding.

A CMMS could also benefit from machine learning using algorithms to monitor assets like meter readings and the ability to calculate readings by the second which would be humanly impossible to do; this will cut down on extraneous labor costs and allow facilities to allocate dollars elsewhere.

The possibilities are becoming endless when it comes to how IoT, AR, VR, and Machine learning can help facilities with energy savings, labor savings, employee safety, and more. The future is a scary and exciting thing but ultimately inevitable for change.

 

Marketing

How Augmented Reality Represents A Marketing Bonanza

The mobile augmented reality (AR) market is projected to reach a staggering $79.77 Billion by 2022 and will be one of the fastest growing sectors in upcoming years.

Functionality has already spread far and wide. Emergency responders use AR to help them train to coordinate dangerous situations. In healthcare, an AR scanner called AccuVein projects vein density on a patient’s arm in real time so injections and taking blood can be quick and easy. Another App can even project surgeon’s hands onto another doctor so they can match movements for complex procedures.

AR is prevalent in helping those with disabilities. Recently, Temple University received part of a larger AR related grant to create glasses that would facilitate captioning for live performance for HOH and Deaf patrons. The same tech can be used for ESL or Foreign language speakers.   

However, people probably best recognize AR from games like Pokemon Go — where frenzied players were able to capture their favorite creature avatars in order to gain advancement in the game. Retailers at the time were quick to realize that a Pokemon stop near (or in) their location meant increased foot traffic and tried to capitalize on the phenomenon.  

From there marketers could truly realize the potential for AR tech. Ostensibly there are a few of major avenues where AR intersects with marketing right now.

Wayfinding

Google Glass ended up looking a little goofy, but the technology promised by apps like Google Lens, which gives consumers ways to access businesses easily just by looking at the facade, may revive the glasses wearable. In AR, companies can offer discounts and coupons that entice passersby or using software like wikitude, the app can actually lead a customer to their desired location. Already, Gatwick Airport uses a sophisticated wayfinding AR feature to help people get to their gates quickly and efficiently. It is possible for any business to incorporate this kind of tech too.

AR is usually thought of as a way to add imagery to a screen, but it can also be used as a focusing tool to take away distractions. For example, there is tech being designed to help grocery shoppers get only what they need for a recipe or to see only gluten free options so they don’t pick the wrong items.    

Product Pre-Assessment

Another way AR is being used effectively in retail markets is in product assessment prior to purchase. This is accomplished in a number of innovative ways by smart retailers. Ikea’s virtual catalog has become a standout in the area with the ability to scan your room and digitally place a piece of their furniture in a spot of your choosing so customers can see how they like the look and color of something before purchase.

Other retailers have created variations on this same theme. Warby Parker scans your face and places their glasses on you, so you can avoid going to the store to try on all their styles. L’Oreal has a way to see how their makeup might look if you were to apply it. Clothing retailers also are allowing shoppers to visualize clothing without going to a changing room. And some even make changing room options easier with smart mirrors that allow you to see the garment you are wearing in different styles or colors without having to search around the racks.

In a similar vein, architects, interior designers and the real estate industry has taken up AR for their marketing efforts. Prospective clients can virtually visit their construction projects or look at their current furniture in a planned new house.

Improved Engagement

Other retailers have seen how AR helps with general product engagement. Lego has created AR stimulated kits that “come to life” when seen with their app. Disney has similar functionality with their coloring books. Movie posters also have been using AR to target cinema goers, giving them an additional thrilling glimpse into a film while waiting in line for popcorn.

Is AR Tech Too complicated for me?

The most intriguing part is how AR is becoming more democratic in its use. Applications like Adobe Spark AR and Apple’s ARkit allow anyone to get in on the ground floor with things like Instagram logos and simple AR additions to branding.

The question of how to assess metrics however, is still evolving. How does an AR view compare with a video view, for example? Marketing consultancies like CleverTap provide strategies to connect meaningfully with demographics and to assess ROI — and they also have get to know AR articles and infographics to help marketers get the hang of why and how to use AR for their own products.

See the infographic below for a quick guide to the ins-and-outs of AR tech. The best part, however, is that the applications for AR are still being worked out. Anyone could have the next innovation in AR in the marketing sphere — maybe a floating fish that eats your emotions will be the next big thing. Or maybe you have a good new idea.

Hardware, Mobile, Wearables

What is the future of augmented reality (infographic)

Augmented reality might be fun for now, but the technology has a serious future.

Virtual and augmented reality are growing technologies, and not just in the video game industry, where they are projected to make an annual revenue of $11.6 billion. From healthcare and real estate to live events and education, AR and VR are changing the way we live, work, and learn.

As Forbes journalist Charles Fink says “We’re still 5 to 10 years from everyone walking around with AR/VR devices, but the technology is accelerating at a huge pace.”

VR allows potential home buyers to tour properties through a headset before the property is even finished being built, while AR allows those building homes to look at what a certain type of cabinets would look like in their new homes before they are ever installed. The “Street Peak” realtor app lets users point their smartphone at a home and access all MLS information, a breakthrough in property data accessibility.

AR and VR are entering the retail space, giving brick-and-mortar shopping a run for its money with open-air pop-up stores where users can view products. Clothes shopping is less of a headache with the FX Mirror and Memory Mirror, AR mirrors that simulate what you would look like in an outfit. There are even nail polish manufacturers using AR to allow people to try on a shade before buying.

Healthcare is also being revolutionized by AR. With the help of products like Accuvein, doctors and nurses will be able to find veins and insert IVs on the first try, a task that medical professionals only get right 60% of the time.

Travel and leisure are also seeing surges of innovation with the rise of augmented reality technology. Google Expeditions bridges the gap between education and travel with virtual field trips to anywhere in the world without leaving the classroom. Travel apps like Wikitude are the future of vacation optimization, recommending the best spots to eat and stay.

Learn more about how augmented reality is reshaping industries with the infographic below, provided by Lumus.

Augmented Reality Trends
Source: Lumus

Mobile

How Will AR and VR Change The Way We Use Our Smartphone?

From all the game-changing technologies waiting for us just around the corner, AR and VR are possibly the most exciting. It would not be disproportionate stating these tools will change our everyday lives as drastically throughout the upcoming decade as smartphones did during the previous.

But what are we exactly looking at, and how exactly will these technologies add new and interesting layers to our modern lifestyles and interpersonal communication? Read on for an overview of the new and improved realities ahead.

AR and VR Explained in a Nutshell

To begin with, it might be worth to clarify how exactly AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) relate to one another. While they can often be complimentary, AR and VR are essentially going in different directions: AR involves adding layers of information to the real world, thus augmenting the scope of our perception. VR hinges on altogether conjuring immersive virtual worlds separate from physical reality, but possibly sourcing information from it.

We already have several useful apps drawing from AR technology, such as when you point to a monument to instantly see information about its origins or when you’re out trying to catch loveable pocket monsters on the go. An even better example would be the well-known Google Glass project, which ambitiously tried to provide a comprehensive framework for everyday AR that feeds us with useful and relevant information streams out of thin air.

When it comes to VR, it’s been a while since we’ve had virtual worlds where people can take up second lives and adopt fictional personae as well as chatting with real world acquaintances while exploring computer generated realities. But now we’re looking at the rise of new gadgets such as the Oculus Rift, Sony’s Project Morpheus, or HTC Hive – which allow us to fully immerse in such worlds. This is where things are really getting exciting, and the boundaries between real and virtual will gradually begin to blur!

How Smartphones Perfectly Bridge the Gap between AR and VR

At this point, you should be clear on our communication styles will shape up through the development of AR and VR. What might not yet be fully clear is why our smartphones hold such a tremendous potential of becoming universal portals between our augmented everyday realities and the ever refining virtual realities:

By design, smartphones already are the most logical tools to use for exploring augmented reality – thanks to their built-in cameras, absolute mobility, and widely prolific application ecosystems. With a little add-on, any smartphone can further evolve into a fully functional VR headset, thanks to its multi-core processing power and high-definition screen. This concept was beautifully demonstrated in the Google Cardboard project, and the upcoming commercial grade smartphone-to-headset devices will surely raise the bar to outstanding levels.

It shouldn’t take long until smartphones become so powerful they altogether make bulkier computers obsolete, and coupled with a VR extension they will deliver bigger, better and more immersive video experiences than any conventional display can possibly do, no matter how large or how pricey. These are very exciting times to live in, and we have much to look forward as our everyday realities become augmented and virtualized. Are you looking forward to an augmented virtual future?