FourPlus launched in April, and provides high-end virtual laboratories allowing technicians to train using head-mounted displays. The Birmingham (UK) based company is already liaising with customers and working on a project; they design bespoke solutions, however are also working on off-the-shelf software. Mulhall will be talking about her company at the 17^th Annual bioProcessUK Conference this December at a pitching event for best new technology.

According to her, reducing consumable costs and “taking equipment out of production” for training is beneficial. Further advantages of VR technology mentioned in the article include:

• “Learning by productive failure” – technicians can make errors in VR that they couldn’t in a physical lab
• Allows for data capture and visualisation – for example, locating which areas a technician has cleaned
• Personalised training to the experiences and background of each user

Mulhall explains why she founded the company, stating that the oil and gas industry is advancing in its use of VR, therefore she thought the technology would also be useful for life sciences. FourPlus have a large, multi-disciplinary developer team working on transferring life science processes into VR, overcoming industry obstacles.

Read the full article here.

Arvind Rao, the director of product management at Rockwell Automation, is quoted to have said that increased workforce productivity, innovation, and optimal operations have accelerated the requirement for digital transformation. Rockwell’s collaboration with PTC has allowed them to meet customers’ demands of scale, expertise, and ease by extending their technology and solutions. The senior vice president of strategic alliances at PTC, Don Busiek, has also said that they are “confident” that InnovationSuite provides the most effective way of optimising “people, products, and processes” via digital transformation.

Advantages of FactoryTalk InnovationSuite mentioned in the article include:

• Offers fully integrated Augmented Reality, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Manufacturing Execution System, and edge-to-cloud analytics
• Rapidly develops, operationalizes, and scales solutions to global operations

Enhancements of InnovationSuite include:

• Accelerating IT/OT integration: FactoryTalk® Edge Gateway enhances the fidelity of operational technology data via the FactoryTalk® Smart Object capability.
• Simplifying edge-to-cloud enterprise analytics: FactoryTalk® Analytics offers an array of simplified data capabilities.
• Enabling enterprise-class digital thread: the Rockwell Automation Digital Thread enables a collaborative workflow, optimising design process.
• Delivering value through world-class consulting and professional services: Kalypso allows Rockwell Automation to provide a complete suite of technology, consulting, data science, and business process management.

Read the full article here for more detail about the IoT solution.

The intelligent scanner is worn on the back of the hand and can be paired with an augmented reality headset or other smart device, which displays real-time information about storage locations, product identifiers and inventory levels. The technology integrates with XPO’s warehouse management system and digital tools used in the order preparation process.

XPO expects that the benefits documented by the pilot should produce similar results across the company’s broad network of logistics sites. Notable findings include:

• Six seconds saved per pick, representing an efficiency gain of approximately 10%;
• 75% reduction in errors per million units picked;
• Valuable data assimilated by the company’s XPO Smart™ labor productivity tools; and
• Employee health and safety supported by the scanner’s ergonomic design, as well as the ability to set social distancing alerts.

Ashfaque Chowdhury, president, supply chain – Americas and Asia Pacific, XPO Logistics, said, “Wearable technologies make it easier to work with precision in the fast-paced logistics environment. It’s not unusual for each of our e-commerce fulfillment centers to manage thousands of different product SKUs during peak seasonality. With ProGlove, we can realize sustainable gains in productivity, while delivering a better experience for our employees.”

“We’re excited to be working with XPO Logistics on the expansion of their wearable technology initiatives,” said Andreas Koenig, chief executive officer of ProGlove. “By seamlessly integrating with XPO’s warehouse management system and prioritizing the ergonomic needs of their workers, we can enhance efficiency as the sites accommodate e-commerce growth.”

XPO is an industry leader in e-commerce order fulfillment – a fast-growing area of logistics that accelerated when consumers shifted to online buying during COVID-19. In July, XPO released an independent research study that found 94% of US respondents expect to buy the same or more goods online going forward, compared with prior shopping habits.

The five partners involved in the project are:

• ESI Group (project coordinator)
• Whirlpool
• IPC (Innovation Plasturgie Composites)
• ENSAM
• LMS (Laboratory for Manufacturing Systems and Automation)

Technologies such as predictive models, in-line quality control, and in-mold sensors have already been introduced in the plastics industry to improve the process. However, AR provides new ways of interacting with manufacturing, product models, and machines. The article does acknowledge that current AR tools require more specification for each industry.

In providing real-time knowledge, the aim of the AMPLI project is to improve working procedures and decision-making via an AR tool for the polymer forming process. The tool will be based on the combination of numerical simulation integration and plastic domain-based knowledge.

The three main benefits targeted by the project mentioned in the article are:

• Improve manufacturing efficiency: -10% time reduction for tuning a work cell, +8% increase in machine availability via preventive maintenance, -25% reduction of work force training period, -10% reduction of scrap
• Capture and return process knowledge to eliminate skill shortages
• Foster use of digital tools to increase shop floor work appeal: as work becomes more visual, accessibility is increased and training facilitated

The AMPLI project is based on improving AR usability and mechanisms via:

• Customised plastic and composite processing interface – mixing measured information from the manufacturing work cell and models
• Reduced order model leading to embedded process simulation results

The consortium partners will be testing, developing, and validating simulation and AR technology for the thermoforming process for a year. The role of each company will be as follows:

• ESI will integrate the final output, a challenging step due to the need for real-time information in order for efficiency; ESI’s innovative technologies such as its model-order reduction platform, as well as its expertise, will make this stage possible.
• IPC will provide knowledge rules concerning supervision and setting, using skills in process control and machine interoperability. They also simulate thermoforming process using PAM-FORM, ESI’s software.
• LMS has developed an AR solution for the maintenance phase of infection molds due to their extensive experience in manufacturing AR applications.
• ENSAM will blend manufacturing simulation with reality via AR feature development.
• Whirlpool is a plastic converter, and will provide a thermoforming pilot case to test and validate the product industrially.

Remote working environments require an appropriate substitute for physical human interaction in addition to compelling digital content. Scott Likens, PwC’s Emerging Technology Leader, emphasises that VR is suitable for learning human skills, and is a more immersive vessel for training than face-to-face or standard online training.

VR training statistics stated in the report include:

• Employees’ confidence to act on training increased by 275% when using VR, compared to 198% for classroom training
• VR was up to 4 times faster than classroom training, and took two-thirds as long as e-learning methods

Likens further commented that VR enables participants to focus better due to less distraction. He also suggests that, during remote work, employers could send out sanitised headsets to workers’ homes. Towers-Clark recognises that this could nullify the time and cost effectiveness of VR, although research is being put into solving this issue. For example, Dr. Anna Carolina Muller Queiroz, an expert in VR education research, is quoted to have said that many businesses are developing a virtual workspace to “bring the environment closer psychologically”.

The article concludes by assessing the revolutionary possibilities of VR in the working environment. Even after the pandemic, new technology will be required for engagement, accessibility, and mental wellness during remote working. Currently, continued fervour is needed for keeping VR costs and content in check while it is utilised for training and work.

Workforce issues are constantly evolving, and as manufacturers struggle to meet their need for skilled workers and digitalization and the IIoT proliferate across industries, it can be hard to keep up with the most important trends and topics. Manufacturing Tomorrow’s Workforce is a podcast about workforce issues impacting companies and individuals across industries. In each episode, we talk to experts about the innovations and ideas that are keeping our workforce trained and informed.

In this episode, Amanda Del Buono is taking a look at a technology that may be gaining more traction as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to define a new normal for the workplace: Augmented Reality.

It’s worth noting, that this interview was recorded prior to the COVID-19 pandemic hitting North America. Del Buono was joined by Dirck Schou, CEO of Taqtile, to discuss the benefits of augmented and virtual reality for training. Here’s their discussion.

A transcript of the interview is provided in the full article here.

RealWear cameras provide video and audio links, which allow real-time, remote interactions with suppliers, colleagues, and systems such as Microsoft Teams. The technology consists of a special camera placed on a helmet, giving the user a hands-free experience, allowing them to manipulate equipment and tools while transmitting live video and audio. Voice commands control the camera, which increases safety during complex tasks.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, a supplier in Italy was unable to support local employees on-site, which led to the adoption of the RealWear smart glasses in June.

RealWear provides field training and in-situ information via both hardware and software, increasing productivity and safety at work. See their member profile here.

COVID-19 was a catalyst for the technology development, as it has increased the demand for real-time, remote support, and ensuring complex tasks are completed safely via live video connection with experts, and augmented, IoT data overlays. Librestream’s Onsight is an industry-leading platform that uses AR, created specifically to perform in rugged environments, which The AVR Lab required for meeting the demands of the Australian environment.

Industries in which Onsight is utilised include:

• Energy
• Oil and gas
• Aerospace
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Heavy equipment
• Health

As the most comprehensive AR enterprise software on the market, Onsight offers insights via robust dashboards and data analytics. Advantages of the platform include:

• Creation of intelligence data via advanced AI and Computer Vision
• The ability to capture and centralise content for both audits and training
• Improved productivity and consistency via digital instructions
• Support and verification via remote expert video assistance
• IoT data visualisation from sources and test instruments

Danny Gambaro, Director of The AVR Lab, is quoted to have said that the company have been looking for a solution to Australian market requirements and rugged industries, and concluded that Librestream’s Onsight was one of the best. The teams are very much aligned and have found collaboration easy.

The VP of Business Development at Librestream, Tim Harader, is also quoted to have said that the organisation is “honoured” to have had their software chosen by The AVR Lab. Their platform allows customers to “achieve the benefits of AR”, for example, productivity, cost savings, and increased revenue among others. Harader believes that The AVR Lab’s choice to partner with Librestream, as an independent provider, reflects the strength of their solution.

Read the full article here.

The company is also innovating in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence, using computer vision to identify common components and issues with operating and troubleshooting networking devices, smart home products, home appliances and more. TechSee’s AI platform will soon be able to identify parts such as ports, LED indicators and more to detect issues and suggest fixes for customers, contact agents and field technicians.

“There has been a significant increase in demand for contactless customer service technologies propelled by COVID-19 social distancing requirements and the acceleration of digital transformation projects,” said Eitan Cohen, chief executive of TechSee. “Our visual automation technology is at the heart of it, and now that momentum is growing exponentially as businesses seek to reduce costs. Our vision is to get rid of the user manual and replace it with dynamic AR assistants.”

Cohen argues that the need for more remote solutions has become palpable in the post-COVID-19 pandemic enterprise culture for customer needs. Dispatching field service technicians and allowing them to enter customers’ homes has become less viable. As a result, more enterprise outlets are turning to remote solutions.

TechSee recently announced a commercial partnership with Verizon to address this issue by bringing visual assistance to customers. The tool uses the same technology as mentioned above.

“This new tool gives us the ability to provide the excellent service our customers deserve while minimizing the need for in-person interaction in these unprecedented times,” said Kevin Service, senior vice president of operations for Verizon. “We know how critical communication is, especially now as more and more people are working from home, engaging in distance learning and moving their family and friend interactions online.”

Additional partnerships include Vodafone Group Plc, Orange SA, Liberty Global, Accenture, Hitachi, Lavazza and others.

With AR technology, customers can be empowered to fix their own problems in ways that could have taken much longer with mere phone calls before, or even required a technician to enter the home. Although many companies have attempted to simplify their devices with manuals and proper user interfaces, it’s hard to beat having a soothing voice and a visual guide.

“Remote Visual Assistance is becoming an imperative technology for any customer-centric enterprise operating at scale,” said Alex Kayyal, partner and head of International at Salesforce Ventures. “The potential upside for the business and the customer is difficult to ignore.”

This $30 million in funding, led by OurCrowd, Salesforce Ventures and TELUS Ventures with participation from Scale Venture Partners and Planven Entrepreneur Ventures, brings the amount TechSee has raised to date to $54 million.

The startup intends to continue researching remote AR assistance technology and continue to develop its AI component detection technology and enhance its capability to automate troubleshooting for customers and technicians globally.

The Qualcomm XEP is designed to accelerate the adoption of virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR), collectively known as extended reality (XR), in industries including architecture, engineering and construction, aerospace, automotive, education, energy, entertainment, food & beverage, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, retail, transportation and travel. The program offers members access to a global community of resources, promotional and co-marketing opportunities, business development and visibility into upcoming Qualcomm Technologies’ hardware and software roadmap and product features, among other benefits.

Qualcomm stated that in its inaugural year, several Qualcomm XEP members have benefitted from the program including:

• Mitchell International, which recently introduced Mitchell Intelligent Vision, a standalone XR hands-free solution integrated into the collision repair workflow. Leveraging Mitchell’s patent-pending technology and the Qualcomm Snapdragon Mobile XR Platform, the solution came to fruition in part through Qualcomm Technologies’ longstanding relationship with RealWear;
• Spatial, the collaboration platform that connects remote teams in 3D workspaces, will bring collaborative AR experiences to the mass market via global operators with the launch of XR Viewers in 2021. Through Qualcomm Technologies’ introductions, Germany’s Deutsche Telekom, Japan’s KDDI and South Korea’s LG Uplus will carry Nreal XR Viewers that tether to a 5G-enabled smartphone powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or 865 Mobile Platforms, with Spatial software integrated;
• XRHealth, a telemedicine VR solutions provider,  was connected through the Qualcomm XEP initiative to Pico Interactive and now XRHealth pre-installs its VR therapy platform on Pico’s VR devices powered by Snapdragon, meeting an increased need for telehealth and socially distant healthcare solutions amid the pandemic;
• VictoryXR, a provider of educational XR content, unveiled its Pico-VictoryXR affordable package for 1:1 classroom headset called ‘VR in a Box’. The solution features the company’s ‘VictoryXR Academy’ content platform that includes 54 titles and 240 unique VR experiences, as a result of the Qualcomm XEP connection to Qualcomm Technologies’ ODM partners.

“We are all in on our commitment to driving the XR industry forward on a global scale, while simultaneously advancing XR technology for the enterprise,” said Brian Vogelsang, senior director of product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We are incredibly proud of what our Qualcomm XEP members have accomplished in the first year and are confident this collection of innovators will be a key component in meeting the increased demands in enterprise for collaboration and remote work, skills training, education and learning, data visualization, and health and wellness solutions.”

One of the newest members of Qualcomm XEP is industrial internet of things and digital transformation provider, PTC, which builds upon the program’s commitment to delivering multi-dimensional experiences that help optimize performance and productivity to transform the way people work across various industries.

“Technologies such as IoT and AR are imperative for the industrial sector to transform and operate at the highest level of efficiency,” said Mike Campbell, GM of the Vuforia Business division at PTC. “Collaborating with Qualcomm Technologies and connecting with other Qualcomm XEP ecosystem members will help drive the adoption of cost-effective, purpose-built augmented reality solutions for our customers in the industrial enterprise.”

The Qualcomm XEP initiative is a branch of the Qualcomm Advantage Network. Qualified members gain access to Qualcomm Technologies-supported benefits and the Qualcomm XR Enterprise Program badge as a mark of industry excellence and innovation. For more information and to apply for the program, click here. For a complete list all Qualcomm XEP members, click here.