Technologies that expand our perception of reality in a digital way – the speech is of Augmented Reality. For the private user there are numerous apps with which he uses on his terminal additional information or 3D models can be projected into the real world.
But this hasn't been a gamer for a long time, but has its way into the business sector found.
According to Study IDG Business Media GmbH from 2019 almost half (48%) of companies with 1,000 or more employees AR in production and benefit from its added value. With rising trends. 3/4 of these companies stated that AR had the hoped for success and Competitiveness. The Company Report increased efficiency, increased safety and improved knowledge transfer between their employees.
AR in practice
AR applications are diverse and dynamic. In the following areas, Technology for great acceptance, while companies have significant successes in terms of cost and Save time.
A training extended by AR technology stands out from the rest in terms of interaction.
In addition to classic work materials such as video and manuals, participants can make much more practical impression of tools and components used. Time travel and material costs are saved.
Workflows are suitable in advance in a digital manner and thus can not only be a theoretical It is also possible to gain an insight into practice.
A large application area of AR offers digital product visualization and demonstration in the surrounding area.
Components that are too large or costly for a “hands-on” demo are in the form of a 3D-models projected into the real environment. This method is already used in Training, video conferencing or trade fairs.
Other use cases are the virtual configuration of products and interactive Manuals.
AR is used in manufacturing to continuously optimize and maintain product lines. It promotes the efficiency of teamwork through faster identification of problem areas digital additional information and associated shortening of reaction times.
Checklists for quality assurance are gradually processed in the AR application and confirmed by the software, making the computer an additional instance for a uniform product quality.
Augmented Reality supports users with clear Step-by-step instructions.
In a customer service situation, the customer can switch the specialists “remote” and so see all interested parties the necessary information and necessary measures for Maintenance of the product. Travel costs and standing times are thus saved immensely.
With the aid of AR technologies, it is also possible to locate internal components which human eye first remain hidden.
Data glasses specially developed for AR ( Microsoft HoloLens , VUZIX , RealWear and Other ) have in their glasses Displays on which information and models are displayed. Sensors and cameras at Glasses capture the environment and calculate a visually correct display of the elements.
The most common type of interaction is the digital components for a longer time with the Focus and activate or control them. Some AR glasses are with lateral buttons or controllers, which allow the user to interact with the User interface.
Mobile devices
Nowadays almost every person has a powerful computer in his pocket – namely the smartphone or tablet. They are also very suitable for use in the AR area due to their shape and functions. The camera serves as a projector, the gyro sensor registering the movements.
On mobile devices, the boundaries between reality and virtuality do not blur as much as in AR glasses, however, are very intuitive in their operation and require in most cases no training. The user can use the usual and established gestures as the Tap. Swipe or pinch interact with the elements shown.
Our experiences and recommendations
We also see great opportunities for ActiDoo GmbH in the development of augmented reality Use in different areas. There is a great potential for application in digital imaging of products and processes and interactively and immersively in it to include. We have already gained some experience with AR in recent years and a basic framework for current and future projects with this technology.
What aspects are you particularly interested in regarding the further development of AR? Which of your Ideas and projects make AR use of? Leave a comment or Contact us by email !
Felix Eickhoff
About the author
Felix is a specialist in user experience design and front-end development. At actidoo, he deals with cross-platform app and game development, and on the other hand burns for innovative virtual reality and augmented reality applications.
