Best Industrial AR Platforms

Industrial AR Platforms Guide

Industrial augmented reality (AR) platforms are changing the way businesses operate in today’s world. They offer incredible capabilities to enhance efficiency and productivity while reducing operational costs and training time. An industrial AR platform is designed specifically for industrial use cases, which can range from assembly line training to complex machine maintenance.

At its core, an industrial augmented reality (AR) platform consists of four core components: smart glasses, an app development framework, data capture services, and analytics tools. The smart glasses provide the user with an immersive experience that combines real-world visuals with digital content. This combined vision provides users with detailed 3D visualizations of their work environment and access to pertinent information about their task at hand. The app development framework gives developers the ability to create custom applications tailored specifically for a given business case. These apps can include simulations, interactive step-by-step instructions, 3D models of products or assemblies, as well as support features such as voice commands and remote assistance capabilities. Data capture services are used by developers to create useful analytics reports on how users interact with their apps and what tasks they complete successfully or unsuccessfully. Lastly, one of the most powerful tools provided by an industrial AR platform is its integrated analytics dashboard which helps measure key performance indicators related to operations such as product quality or downtime due to preventative maintenance activities.

Industrial AR platforms are revolutionizing operations across all industries including manufacturing, automotive repair, warehousing logistics, energy production or oil & gas exploration – just to name a few examples. Companies that choose the right partner when selecting an industrial AR platform can expect enhanced safety (through hands-free visual aid), increased productivity (due to more detailed instruction manuals), decreased costs (due to fewer mistakes and faster onboarding times), improved customer service (due to more accurate diagnoses and faster repairs) as well as improved job satisfaction amongst employees who benefit from engaging digital experiences instead of tedious paper instructions or monotonous manual labor processes.

Industrial AR Platform Features

• Augmented Reality (AR): This feature allows workers to view virtual information on top of physical objects. It can be used for repair instruction, product training, design visualization and more. This helps workers better understand how a task should be performed or what an object looks like from all angles.
• Remote Support: This feature enables workers to receive assistance from remote experts when working with complex tasks. The expert can send images and video that guides the user through their task or problem. This helps to reduce downtime due to lack of expertise at the work site. This feature is known as AR remote collaboration.
• Wearables Integration: Wearables such as smart glasses or smart helmets allow employees to access real-time data while they are working on a task without needing additional hardware or devices.
• Voice Recognition: This feature allows users to control their environment using intuitive voice commands, speeding up processes by eliminating repetitive manual steps and improving accuracy with minimal distractions.
• Asset Management: AR platforms provide asset tracking capabilities that allow companies to monitor where their assets are located in real time, giving them greater visibility into operational performance and helping reduce maintenance costs due to lost or misplaced items.
• Data Capture: By using cameras, sensors and RFID tags, data can be captured from an object in a few quick steps. This helps to streamline processes by eliminating the need for manual data entry and increasing accuracy with automated data collection.
• Maintenance Support: AR platforms provide detailed instructions for complex tasks such as repairs or maintenance on machines, making it easier for workers to understand what needs to be done without needing extra support or AR training. This feature improves maintenance management and equipment maintenance processes.
• Safety: AR platforms can provide safety protocols, warnings and alerts to workers to help protect them from potential hazards in the workplace.
• Enterprise Integration: AR platforms are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing enterprise solutions, helping companies get up and running quickly without needing custom solutions.

Types of Industrial AR Platforms

• Cloud-Based AR Platforms: Cloud-based AR platforms provide a comprehensive backend infrastructure that enables developers to build, deploy, and manage interactive 3D applications in the cloud. They typically feature an integrated development environment for creating augmented reality experiences and tools for tracking user interaction with objects in real time.
• Smartphone-based AR Platforms: Smartphone-based AR platforms use a smartphone’s camera and motion sensors to identify and track objects in the user’s environment. These platforms are mainly used for gaming, navigation applications as well as retail marketing purposes.
• Wearable AR Platforms: Wearable AR platforms utilize devices such as glasses or headsets that are worn by the user to present virtual content overlaid onto their physical environment. This type of platform is usually used in industrial training scenarios or complex workflows requiring real-time assistance.
• Head Mounted Displays (HMD): HMD systems combine a display screen device with a head mounted positioning system so users can interact with their environment while receiving full visual feedback from virtual elements added onto the scene by an augmented reality application. HMDs are ideal for use cases involving industrial inspection, remote operations, and simulated training scenarios like military operations or complex medical procedures.
• Spatial Computing Platforms: Spatial computing platforms integrate multiple technologies such as computer vision, natural language processing, machine learning and sensor fusion to create immersive augmented reality experiences across multiple devices/screens connected through a network of digital agents sharing information in real time. Such systems can be used in large scale projects like designing smart cities or manufacturing facilities using virtual walkthrough simulations.

Benefits of Industrial AR Platforms

1. Increased Visualization: Industrial AR platforms provide increased visualization of products by allowing users to view them with an augmented view. This allows the user to gain an understanding of how a product might be used in a physical environment, as well as its design, shape and layout.
2. Improved Accessibility: By using industrial AR platforms, companies can make complex products more accessible to their customers. This may involve providing detailed instructions for how to use the product or even interactive tutorials that provide step-by-step guidance on how to assemble and use the product.
3. Enhanced Productivity: One of the main benefits of using industrial AR is increased productivity. For example, it can help workers visualize production processes and eliminate unnecessary movements between machines or stations by providing real-time information about what needs to be done at any given time.
4. Increased Safety: Working with dangerous machinery and materials can be a risky process but industrial AR can help minimize these risks. For example, 3D visualization via an augmented reality platform can enable workers to identify potential hazards without having to physically enter hazardous areas or interact with hazardous substances directly.
5. Reduced Errors: As well as being safer, industrial AR platforms can also reduce errors in production lines due to improved communication between employees and machines. This includes reducing incorrect set ups and programming errors by providing visual feedback that is both accurate and timely.
6. Cost Savings: Finally, implementing industrial AR technologies into production lines offers cost savings through reduced waste from mistakes, higher efficiency from reduced cycle times and faster training times for new staff members due to improved visualization tools.

Who Uses Industrial AR Platforms?

• Engineers/Designers: Engineers and designers typically use AR to build more efficient models, visualize prototypes, and evaluate production capabilities.
• Operators: Operators are usually the first users of an AR platform and use it to streamline their operations. They are responsible for training processes, preventative maintenance, and other tasks that involve controlling equipment.
• Maintenance Technicians: Maintenance technicians use AR platforms to identify problems with equipment and diagnose issues before they become major repairs.
• Quality Assurance Inspectors: Quality assurance inspectors are often found on large manufacturing lines where they use AR platforms to inspect product quality.  This helps ensure that all products meet industry standards.
• Educators/Trainers: Educators and trainers utilize AR platforms to teach students or employees in a virtual setting while providing an immersive experience that helps learners retain information better than traditional methods of teaching.
• Government Officials/Policy Makers: Governments can reap the benefits of using AR as well by using it for public safety initiatives, public health surveillance, public infrastructure monitoring, economic development planning, etc.
• Scientists/Researchers: Scientists and researchers benefit from AR as they can use it for data visualization, simulations, and field research.

How Much Do Industrial AR Platforms Cost?

The cost of industrial AR platforms can vary widely depending on factors such as the model of hardware being used and the complexity of the software. Generally speaking, systems that use basic mobile/tablet devices can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, while more extensive setups using dedicated hardware and high-end software may cost upwards of tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, Google Glass Enterprise Edition has been estimated to cost around $2,000 per device for basic hardware, with additional fees for various enterprise software solutions. Other industrial solutions like Microsoft HoloLens 2 have an even higher price tag, ranging from $3,500 - $5,000 per device. Ultimately, the cost of any particular industrial AR platform will depend on its specific requirements and applications.

What Integrates With Industrial AR Platforms?

Industrial AR platforms are designed to integrate with a variety of software types. These range from ERP and inventory management systems, to relational databases, industrial IoT, and computer-aided design (CAD) applications. By bridging the gap between data and physical objects, industry-specific software can be used to measure, analyze and improve operations. Additionally, industrial AR platforms typically integrate with engineering software such as simulation tools and plant layout planning packages, allowing workers to interact with their environment in real time. Furthermore, some more advanced solutions may even accommodate 3D animation or game engines. This allows engineers to simulate complex tasks while increasing safety standards by eliminating the need for field trials.

Industrial AR Trends

1. Increased Accuracy: Industrial AR platforms are becoming increasingly accurate. This accuracy is especially important in areas such as factory operations and manufacturing, where precision is a necessity.
2. Improved User Experience: In addition to accuracy improvements, industrial AR platforms are also seeing improved user experiences. This includes a more intuitive interface, improved visual feedback, and better tracking options.
3. Increased Mobility: By utilizing mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones, industrial AR platforms can now be used in virtually any environment. This allows for remote monitoring of systems or activities without the need for expensive infrastructure investments or specialized equipment.
4. Automation & Machine Learning: Advances in automation and machine learning technologies have allowed industrial AR systems to become much more efficient. This has made it easier to monitor complex processes or even automate certain tasks.
5. Enhanced Security & Safety: By using secure data encryption protocols and access controls, industrial AR platforms can help reduce the risk of unauthorized access or misuse of sensitive information. Additionally, safety features like real-time notifications can help prevent accidents from occurring by alerting operators when necessary conditions have been met.
6. Cost Savings: By reducing the need for physical infrastructure and specialized personnel, industrial AR platforms can help cut costs associated with operating a business. As technology continues to become more advanced, these cost savings are likely to increase even further.

How To Choose the Right Industrial AR Platform

1. Compatibility: It is important to ensure that the platform is compatible with both existing hardware and software as well as any potential future hardware and software upgrades.
2. Connectivity: The platform should be able to provide reliable and secure connectivity across multiple devices, networks, and locations.
3. Usability: The platform should be easy to use with intuitive controls and features that allow for rapid deployment and training of users. Additionally, it should have robust accessibility features such as gesture navigation, voice commands, text-to-speech capabilities, etc., to maximize its usefulness in a variety of environments.
4. Security: Make sure the platform has strong security measures to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or manipulation.
5. Cost: Evaluate the cost of the platform versus its benefits in order to get the best return on your investment.