• Lockheed Martin is using HoloLens 2 to build the Orion spacecraft and reduce touch labor—what used to require an eight-hour shift can now be completed in just 45 minutes.
• Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is using HoloLens 2 to limit healthcare employee’s exposure to patients with COVID-19, reducing the time staff are exposed to the disease by as much as 83 percent.
• Mercedes-Benz USA is using HoloLens 2 to improve service technician efficiency and reduce time to problem resolution, realizing a 35 to 40 percent decrease in service technician travel.

As part of listening, and always learning, we heard strong demand for HoloLens 2 to operate in environments that have rigorous requirements or are regulated by industry certifications. In the semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries, partners require a device that meets particle emissions standards to enter and operate in their highly controlled clean room environments. In the energy sector, partners need a device that can function safely in potentially hazardous environments.

Enhance worker productivity and accelerate innovation

We are announcing the HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition, an untethered mixed reality device designed, built, and tested to support regulated industrial environments.

HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition meets the following industrial standards and certifications:

In addition to the industrial standards ratings, HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition is supported with a two year warranty and a Rapid Replacement Program. The Rapid Replacement program minimizes downtime, with advance exchange and expedited shipping.

With HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition, customers can now use HoloLens 2 in restricted environments without modifying your space, protocols, or workflows. Supported with a robust ecosystem of first and third party mixed reality applications that are backed by the reliability, security, and scale of Azure, HoloLens 2 Industrial Edition will empower enterprises operating in regulated environments to:

• Provide workers with access to remote experts any time they need it.
• Complete tasks faster and more accurately than ever before with interactive 3D guides.
• Train and onboard new employees faster with a “learning by doing” approach.

The in-store experience can be enhanced by addressing challenges retailers typically face, such as out-of-stock items, plan-o-gram compliance, and frictionless/cashierless checkout, the companies state.

Verizon’s 5G network and MEC, combined with advanced technologies such as video camera and sensor-based analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), and augmented reality (AR), are the foundational elements of the retail platform.

Furthermore, Verizon Business and Deloitte are collaborating with SAP to integrate SAP’s software suite, including SAP Customer Activity Repository and SAP S/4HANA into the platform.

Enablement of these technologies can offer retailers sustainable business performance and profitability acceleration across key levers, such as revenue, cost of goods sold, and operating margin, according to the companies.

Together with Deloitte’s retail industry and solution engineering experience, the two organisations have developed a set of enterprise-wide use cases that can be enabled by the platform, a reference architecture that amplifies back-office application integration value, and a customisable approach to accelerate outcomes and ROI.

Of the use cases under co-development through this collaboration, one example is near real-time actionable intelligence to address out-of-stock shelf inventory management, where the platform generates automated replenishment notifications to in-store associates to refill shelves from the back of the house and alerts distribution centres to allocate additional inventory.

This co-innovation aims to help retailers increase sales, improve margins, offer greater product availability, and give associates more time to engage with customers when they don’t have to spend as much time on activities like cycle counting, the companies state.

Verizon Business CEO Tami Erwin says, “It’s an exciting moment to unveil this innovative retail collaboration with Deloitte and SAP.

“We are entering a new era of technology-led disruption at the exact same moment every retailer is looking to accelerate digital transformation, increase productivity and improve customer experiences.

“We’re ready to open the doors to Verizon’s transformative 5G and mobile edge compute platform and look forward to helping our customers reimagine everything from their employee experience and supply chain to end-customer use cases.”

Deloitte Consulting LLP principal and US Consulting consumer industry lead Anthony Stephan says, “The opportunity for 5G and MEC to enable frictionless retail experiences and improve asset productivity should have a seismic impact on the retail industry.

“Our collaboration with Verizon Business and SAP enables us to efficiently and effectively address the concerns of retailers today, providing a best-in-class digital transformation experience that can respond and deliver at the speed of 5G.”

The adoption of AR in the oil and gas industry is in the introductory phase. AR can be integrated into various tasks being undertaken in the oil and gas industry. Oil and gas companies are increasingly collaborating with AR vendors, to develop customized tools. AR has the potential to become indispensable in oil and gas field activities due to its ability to deliver real-time information for taking prompt actions.

Scope

• It highlights various case studies of AR in oil and gas industry and its potential impact on oil and gas operations.
• It also discusses some of the prevailing trends relating to AR usage in the oil and gas industry.
• The report evaluates various of oil and gas companies which are adopting AR in their operations.

Reasons to Buy

• Impact of augmented reality in oil and gas industry
• Understand the key AR trends in the oil and gas industry
• Review of some of the case studies highlighting use of AR in oil and gas industry
• Identify and benchmark key oil and gas companies adopting AR

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary

• Impact on the oil and gas industry
• Case studies

Players

• Technology briefing

Trends

• Oil and gas trends
• Technology trends
• Media trends
• Macroeconomic trends
• Regulatory trends
• Industry analysis
• Market size and growth forecasts

The project was to perform a “repair versus replace” analysis at an Indian Refinery for coke drums that were failing. Due to the pandemic and travel limitations, the team was unable to be on site for inspections and field walk-downs.

To solve this issue, Becht used Ingenero, an in-country subcontractor, to perform the walk-down virtually with RealWear smart glasses. This enabled the experts to be present for important field visits in real time.

Using RealWear’s AR glasses facilitated a better perspective. Photos and drawings are only two-dimensional, but the technology provided a helpful 3D view. Most challenges faced by Becht’s clients can be overcome using the latest technology.

To read the full article, visit here. For RealWear’s AREA member profile, click here.

Diarmuid O’Sullivan, PM Group Construction Director, has said that using HoloSite has enabled a proactive rather than reactive way of working. The technology is described as “ground-breaking”, as it has caused a significant increase in productivity on site. PM Group BIM Manager, Coral Butler, also stated that HoloSite provides a high level of build accuracy to reduce surveying. Issues can be tracked by the technology so that adjustments can be made and the project can remain on schedule.

Due to the pandemic, health and safety is now even more of a focus. HoloSite has allowed PM Group to live stream their site, reducing the number of workers needed on site. This decreases further risk.

CEO and Founder of XYZ Reality, David Mitchell, has said that AR is enabling the construction industry to adopt new practises. A more proactive and forward-thinking approach is being taken, facilitated by the technology. HoloSite causes construction teams to build correctly on a first attempt.

As the build progresses into more complex construction work, PM Group plans to distribute more HoloSite units. The company is also looking into utilising other technology for future construction projects.

Read the full article here.

Arvizio may have the solution to that shortcoming with an update to its AR collaboration platform.  Canada-based Arvizio revealed Immerse 3D, an app for iOS, Android, HoloLens, and Magic Leap (listed as Arvizio Immerse 5.0) that works in conjunction with Arvizio Director PC collaboration software and Arvizio Cloud service to enable video conference participants to interact with the same 3D model simultaneously in AR.

After meeting moderators initialize an Arvizio Director session and load up the content, they share a QR code during a web meeting. Participants then scan the code with the Immerse 3D app via their mobile device or AR headset.

As they interact with the 3D content, participants will be able to see their colleagues represented by avatars in their personal space. Users can scale models from tabletop to life-size and annotate the model as well.

Immerse 3D is capable of rendering CAD, BIM, and 3D models in AR and works with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet, Webex, BlueJeans, Amazon Chime and other video platforms that support screen sharing.

Because there is an Android version of the app, it works with stereoscopic smartglasses running on Android. According to a company spokesperson, the company has tested the app on a number of Android-based AR headsets, and it has found that some porting is necessary (stereoscopic headsets are necessary to enable the 3D experience).

While AR collaboration tools aren’t nearly as mainstream as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, Arvizio’s solution helps the average office worker dip their toe into the waters of AR interaction.

“Bringing augmented reality to web meetings provides a more impactful experience – it’s visual, interactive and immersive,” said Jonathan Reeves, CEO of Arvizio, in a statement. “We are empowering our customers to use 3D visualization with stakeholders around the world and use augmented reality for more efficient and realistic project reviews. We’re excited to deliver this capability to our customers as remote interactions and digital meetings become the norm.”

Read AREA member profiles of Arvizio Microsoft and Magic Leap 

As a systems integrator (SI), Fujitsu has integrated PTC’s award-winning ThingWorx^® Industrial IoT and Vuforia^® Augmented Reality (AR) platforms into its Smart Factory framework, enabling manufacturing customers to accelerate their digital transformation initiatives by addressing growing skills gaps, providing support against increasing macroeconomic and cost pressures, and pioneering new ways of working.

“Our alliance with PTC will be pivotal in helping manufacturers thrive in an increasingly challenging business environment. Our enhanced Smart Factory framework, bolstered by the ThingWorx and Vuforia platforms, will enable our customers to create real-time operational insight and intelligence across manufacturing domains, helping to improve tactical and strategic operations,” said Paul Bresnahan, Head of Manufacturing at Fujitsu America, Inc. “Together, Fujitsu and PTC are enabling our customers to bring in new business that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise — it’s a ‘win win’ for everyone.”

The Fujitsu Smart Factory framework, deployed with ThingWorx, supports shop floor efficiencies, enabling customers to reduce costs, increase productivity, and redeploy previously tied-up assets. Paired with the Vuforia AR platform, the Fujitsu Smart Factory solutions will enable customers to empower their front-line workers with the critical information they need to do their jobs safely, efficiently, and accurately, while also enabling customers to build resiliency and agility in their respective sectors.

“We are pleased to enter into this new phase of our relationship with Fujitsu. Fujitsu and PTC share a common vision to help manufacturers accelerate innovation in the factory to deliver meaningful business impact with speed and at scale,” said Catherine Kniker, Divisional Vice President and Global Head of Corporate Development, PTC. “We both understand the challenges that come with migrating to a digital factory, and believe our robust experience positions us well to help our customers quickly achieve value with their digital transformation initiatives.”

ThingWorx is PTC’s award-winning platform designed to deliver Industrial IoT solutions at scale, across the enterprise, and enables organizations around the world to gain competitive advantage and reduce costs. Since its initial launch, thousands of industrial companies, including discrete product and process manufacturers, have used ThingWorx to successfully optimize business processes, improve manufacturing operations, modernize field service delivery, and more. PTC’s Vuforia AR platform, recognized by industry analysts for its depth and breadth of capabilities, offers some of the fastest, easiest, and most advanced AR content development solutions, enabling increased workforce safety and efficiency, better customer experiences, and reduced cost, among other business benefits.

Apple’s MR headset development has been in the works for years, but plans are now at the forefront. The company will start by first deliberately releasing an expensive, niche headset to prepare the market and developers for future Augmented Reality glasses. The article explains how Apple’s approach is likely to play out:

• Not just AR or VR: They will reportedly start with a primarily Virtual Reality headset, with limited Augmented Reality function, similar to Facebook’s Oculus Quest. Apple has consistently expressed that AR is the “bigger opportunity”, therefore the initial focus will most likely be on enterprise AR and VR applications.
• Standalone: Rather than tethered, a standalone approach will be taken, meaning that MR will function as its own platform. Customised content and apps will be available, the goggles will have Mac-class processing power, and screens will be a much higher resolution than in current VR devices. This will enable enterprises to create immersive 3D experiences from desktop computer apps.
• Timing of release: Bloomberg has suggested a 2022 launch of the MR goggles, followed by a lightweight AR glasses release in several years. Judging by this, Apple’s approach will then allow developers a year or two to test MR hardware apps.

The article encourages companies to consider what to put in place to allow for MR integration, including:

• Cost: Various price points include $2000, $1000, and $500. This will differ depending on whether the business uses a couple of headsets, or deploys them across their entire workforce.
• Data visualisation: Presentations, existing 2D data, and immersive 3D key apps will need a visualisation strategy.
• Employee experience: Preparations must be put in place to either hire or train employees with MR experience.
• The customer’s role: Enriching the customer experience, and setting customer expectations for the technology.

Concluding, the article acknowledges that there may currently be more questions than answers regarding MR integration. There is still plenty of time for companies to develop a digital transformation strategy, but ideally they need to start now.

Many tech insiders and analysts believe the AR glasses will replace smartphones in the next 8-10 years.

MagicLeap, another AREA member, has now shifted its focus on selling AR glasses to industrial users.

Tech companies are exploring the technology’s business relevance and its role in the workforce enablement, customer experience and product enhancement.

AR technology holds tremendous promise for changing the way businesses operate.

Just a few of the kinds of benefits that businesses are experiencing are: contextualised information, increased workflow standardisation, hands-free assistance and documentation.

Read the full original article to find out more.

Vuzix develops AR displays in the form of smart glasses (e.g. the Vuzix M400), some of which are regular glasses, and some of which attach to safety glasses and hardhats. Most of their current use cases are with the enterprise and medical industry, but Travers expects that adoption will soon increase in logistics and warehousing as well.

With remote assistance having become increasingly valuable in the medical industry, Vuzix’s smart glasses have been used by medical professionals to get expert advice from another hospital and to film operations. Throughout the pandemic, the technology has also been used for “virtual rounds”, allowing an individual practitioner to receive real-time feedback from a remote support team while making rounds. Soon, Vuzix will also be collaborating with Verizon to bring 5G-enables smart glasses to EMTs, allowing for emergency care to be provided before a patient has reached the hospital.

Storing and transporting the COVID vaccine is another complicated and specific medical task. Envirotainer, a company involved in this, now uses Vuzix headsets to allow for safe and correct handling of vaccines as cargo. This is a particularly vital use case. Travers acknowledges that XR is important for tradespeople and maintenance staff, since they’re not allowed into hospitals anymore.

As the article points out, COVID-19 didn’t create a demand for XR products and service, it only served to accelerate existing trends. Travers believes that AR smart glasses are the future of computing and will replace the phone.

Vuzix will be a part of this paradigm shift. Their next-generation model is anticipated for release later this year, and is a result of user feedback and improving technology.

Read the full article here, and see Vuzix’s AREA member profile here.