There were a number of interesting results but here is one clear highlight: 70% believe that AR technology will see widespread adoption in the organization within three years.

That’s huge and an indicator that awareness of AR is maturing and that trials are proving successful, leading to full deployments.

The survey was emailed to a wide audience and received 248 responses – enough to be meaningful. These responses came from a wide range of industries including technology, mining, oil & gas, construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, consulting/services and education.

Awareness of AR within enterprises is good, but could be better. Any negative impressions from the failed Google Glass consumer product have pretty much faded. According to the survey results, 25% said there was limited awareness about AR overall within leadership, while 45% say that a few members of the senior executive teams in their organizations have taken the lead and the awareness is spreading’.

Only 20% of enterprise respondents said that ‘a majority of leaders seem clear about the potential’ of AR, suggesting more education is needed.

The survey also asked about the key barriers for deploying AR. 52% said ‘unclear return on investment’, while 49% said ‘AR hardware limitations’, followed by ‘a lack of understanding where AR could be used’ (39%).

“What was a bit surprising was the relatively low percentages for privacy and safety risks (14%) and data security risks (20%),” said Wheelwright. “These expectations seem to be different in an enterprise setting compared to a consumer setting.”

So what needs to be done to improve awareness and adoption?  Wheelwright says that a lot of good information in now available at a large number of conferences devoted to AR/VR/MR, so start there.

“Trials are key to gaining awareness and developing meaningful solutions with ROI, so we try to make this as easy as possible to accomplish and always suggest setting a baseline before the trial to measure improvements,” said Wheelwright.

Another key to breaking down barriers is to leverage the existing infrastructure like hardware, connectivity, device management and security. This often means starting a trial on a smartphone or tablet to prove the benefit. In some cases where hands-free access to information is needed, the app can be migrated to a headset solution.

“This was a clear preference from our survey,” said Wheelwright, “and very much aligns with the ‘mobile-first’ strategy that Atheer recently outlined as part of its new Augmented Reality Management Platform (or ARMP).”

This is a cloud-based AR Management Platform that works with existing hardware and software in the enterprise and is designed to evolve to take advantage of new AR hardware and operating system enhancements.

Read more insights from the Atheer enterprise AR survey here.

Effective augmented reality applications can be straightforward to conceptualize, create, and implement. With modern authoring tools, developers can create immersive AR experiences. Likewise, easy-to-implement remote expert applications can have tremendous impact on maintenance and field service operations. However, these basic applications only represent a small step towards the transformational potential of industrial AR.

We can envision a future in which AR is used to orchestrate the operations of a manufacturing plant. With access to MES, EAM, and other manufacturing software applications, a connected, persona-based AR solution will contextualize and provide relevant information to the workforce on the plant floor.

Each operator’s, technician’s, and engineer’s augmented experience will be tailored to fit their role and continuously adjust to complement his or her level of knowledge.

Executing tasks will become harmonized and individuals will be able to focus their decisions on how best to achieve immediate goals. The AR market has reached a tipping point where even incremental changes in hardware technology can enable large expansions of addressable industrial applications.

The following is taken from a summary of a briefing with ARC Advisory Group, in which Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) shared several of its archetypal customer use-cases in the emerging augmented reality (AR) space.

The progress and future potential of the technology and some general AR-related trends include:

Software: AR solutions are becoming feasible to build and implement as organizations embrace digital strategies across their enterprises.

Hardware: AR hardware is maturing rapidly and by pairing with a holistic AR software platform is increasing the breadth of practical AR applications and rate of adoption.

Applications: AR adoption is finding good traction across both discrete and process industries with engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, and field service applications.

Effective augmented reality applications can be straightforward to conceptualize, create, and implement.  With modern authoring tools, developers can create immersive AR experiences.  Likewise, easy-to-implement remote expert applications can have tremendous impact on maintenance and field service operations.  However, these basic applications only represent a small step towards the transformational potential of industrial AR.

We can envision a future in which AR is used to orchestrate the operations of a manufacturing plant.  With access to MES, EAM, and other manufacturing software applications, a connected, persona-based AR solution will contextualize and provide relevant information to the workforce on the plant floor.  Each operator’s, technician’s, and engineer’s augmented experience will be tailored to fit their role and continuously adjust to complement his or her level of knowledge.  Executing tasks will become harmonized and individuals will be able to focus their decisions on how best to achieve immediate goals.

Source articles: Plant Services.com

ARC Advisory Group website.

While the industry rapidly expands and works hard to improve the AR experience, it must also overcome an important natural barrier: the way in which our eyes focus on objects.

A recent study shows that our eyes are not quite up to the task of simultaneously focusing on two separate objects—one real and one not—in close proximity to one another.

The results, published 6 May in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, suggest that accomplishing an AR-assisted task that’s close at hand (within two meters) and requires a high level of precision may not be feasible with existing technology. This could be unwelcome news for researchers attempting to design certain AR-assisted programs.

For instance, some researchers are exploring the possibility of using AR to virtually guide surgeons who must make precise incisions, or to display a virtual axis over the surface of a bone to steer realignment surgery. But if our eyes can’t focus on both virtual and real objects simultaneously (a phenomenon called “focal rivalry”), this leaves room for error.

In the new study, Sara Condino, Vincenzo Ferrari, and their colleagues at the University of Pisa explored how focal rivalry affects people’s performance when using AR to complete precision tasks. The researchers asked 20 participants to take a “connect-the-dots” AR test, where a sequence of numbered dots was visually projected using an optical see-through (OST) device mounted on participants’ heads. With this type of AR, computer-generated content is projected onto semi-transparent displays in front of the user’s eyes, and the user can still see real-world objects beyond the screen. In these experiments, the researchers used one of the most advanced OST devices available, the Microsoft HoloLens.

Read original source article here.

With thousands of worldwide deployments of RealWear HMT-1s, RealWear is now the preferred device for Connected Worker programs by solving real-world problems in the factory or field. This is a must-attend event to get the inside scoop on commercial global deployments of industrial wearable computers.

Who will present in chronological order:

They will partner to develop solutions that enable digital factory floor and laboratory workers to access important documents and just-in-time content at the point of need.

Currently, deskless workers such as manufacturing operators and lab technicians are accessing materials that are >80% paper-based and may not be current or compliant. Workers also face increasing product and process complexity, making it difficult to access and apply approved procedures when performing critical tasks.

The partnership will transform Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)s and work instructions into just-in-time resources that are presented with clear language and visuals in a step-by-step format. The Proceedix platform will extend the document management (DMS) capabilities of Sparta’s TrackWise Digital solution directly to the laboratory, shop floor, or anywhere in the supply chain where professionals work away from their desks, making the most up-to-date procedures accessible to workers.

Find out more about the partnership betwen Proceedix and Sparta Systems in the press release here.

AR employs displays, cameras, and various types of sensors to augment the user’s real-world environment with artificial perceptual experience. While AR is not a new concept, advancements in areas such as computer vision, sensing technologies, data storage, displays, and software technologies have now made AR a much more practical solution for consumer, commercial, and industrial adoption.

AR in Healthcare

The healthcare industry has been quick to realize the benefits of AR.  The industry has shown major interest in the technology and, as a result, many AR applications have already been developed for the healthcare world to address some of its major challenges, including staffing shortages. Below, we discuss some of the areas, where AR can help.

Using AR in Nursing – Vein Visualization

To name one common example of Nursing, finding a vein, to draw blood or give intravenous injections can be a challenging and time-consuming task.  Multiple attempts can cause comfort to the patient and also create frustration and anxiety for nurses. AccuVein, a medical imaging solutions company, has made the process easier for patients and nurses alike.  The company’s vein illumination devices use AR to allow healthcare professionals to see a map of peripheral veins on the skin’s surface.  According to the company, with AccuVein, it is 3.5 times more likely to find a vein on the first try.  Another company, VeinSeek, is also helping to visualize veins.  With VeinSeek, users do not need any special equipment, they can use their smartphone cameras.  The company’s application VeinSeek Pro and VeinSeek are available for iOS and Android devices.

5G, the next generation of mobile internet, offers communication speeds 10 to 20 times higher than what we have now. It offers more stable connections and enables more devices to communicate within the same area.

The focus of the article addresses what this really means and why should CIOs care.

One area where 5G is expected to have an enterprise impact is in the burgeoning augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) market. Long associated with hardcore gamers and specialized training for the likes of astronauts and surgeons, AR and VR are expected to play increasingly significant roles in industries ranging from real estate and retail to manufacturing, according to technology market prognosticators.

Citing faster chip speeds and other improvements to the technology underpinning AR and VR, Goldman Sachs estimates the combined AR/VR market will be an $80 billion market by 2025, or roughly the same size as the current PC market. Indeed, the firm believes the impact of AR and VR on the workplace and on how companies connect with customers will be on par with the transformation spurred by smartphones.

AR and VR still face many obstacles to reach their full potential which is where 5G comes in.

The article goes on to explore current problems with AR VR, how 5G can help, and draws on expert opinions from industry.

Known within JULABO as LucaVision, the solution combines AR smartglasses with Atheer’s award-winning AR management platform to provide a comprehensive way to improve the way its field service team works – and speed up the already-impressive service resolution times JULABO is able to offer its growing base of customers.

The name of this initiative is inspired by JULABO USA mascot Luca – and seems fitting as frogs can see in all directions, nearly 360 degrees, resulting in a larger field of view than is humanly possible. AR offers the same kind of promise.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to bring augmented reality to the temperature control industry in a way that directly impacts quality and service,” said JULABO USA’s President Ralph Juchheim. “These smart glasses and software will transform our service department but, more importantly, the technology will make a significant difference and decrease downtime for our customers.”

Atheer is an international provider of AR enterprise software with a track record of providing its AR platform to major enterprises such as Porsche Cars North America and the International Air Transport Association to improve the productivity, speed and safety of their workforces.

“We are delighted and honored to be working with JULABO USA to roll out this AR field service initiative,” said Atheer CEO Amar Dhaliwal. “JULABO is a world leader in high-performance and reliable temperature control. It’s completely unsurprising that their commitment to innovation extends to constantly seeking ways to improve their customers’ experience.”

The AR field service capabilities of the platform include:

• Hands-free access to technical information, guides and diagrams (technicians and service teams can access information through head movements, hand gestures and voice commands)
• Remote viewing and troubleshooting – the ability to service repair partners and diagnose and repair issues more quickly to reduce application downtimes
• Hyper-vision that allows technicians to zoom in, magnify and see parts more clearly, enhancing what can be detected with the human eye

JULABO is using the Atheer-based platform to:

• Train internal and external service teams
• Assist in the repair and service of instrumentation
• Improve quality and customer assurance through checklists and automated review of orders and repairs

ThinkReality combines an Android-based headset with 1080p (per eye) visuals with an ecosystem that integrates with existing enterprise systems, is compatible with existing augmented reality content, and offers deep user and device management software.

Although virtual reality and the hardware behind it have achieved greater growth than AR over the past few years, many of those who operate at the heart of it see augmented reality as having similar, or even grander potential. However, unlike such headsets as the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, AR is finding its greatest acceptance in the workplace, and Lenovo’s new ThinkReality A6 headset looks to expand that audience and even crib a few customers from Microsoft in the process.

It’s being targeted specifically at enterprise users, with Lenovo citing industrial training and manufacturing as particular areas where it can be of use. It’s said to offer real advantages when it comes to increasing the efficiency of certain tasks and even improving safety. It’s also said to be an excellent tool for architects and artists who want to see a 3D rendering of their potential creations before they have actually been built.

Find out details on the specification and other details on DigitalTrends.

In a new study led by Jeremy Bailenson, a professor of communication in the School of Humanities and Sciences, researchers found that after people had an experience in augmented reality (AR) – simulated by wearing goggles that layer computer-generated content onto real-world environments – their interactions in their physical world changed as well, even with the AR device removed. For example, people avoided sitting on a chair they had just seen a virtual person sit on. Researchers also found that participants appeared to be influenced by the presence of a virtual person in a similar way they would be if a real person were next to them. These findings are set to publish May 14 in PLOS ONE.

To examine how AR affected the way people behaved in social situations, researchers recruited 218 participants and conducted three studies. In the first two experiments, each participant interacted with a virtual avatar named Chris who would sit on a real chair in front of them.

The first study replicated a traditional psychology finding known as social inhibition. Just as people complete easy tasks with ease and struggle with more challenging ones when they have a person watching them in the real world, the same held true when an avatar was watching study participants in augmented reality, the researchers found.

Study participants completed easy anagrams faster but performed poorly on the complex ones when avatar Chris was visible in their AR field of vision.

Another study tested whether participants would follow accepted social cues when interacting with avatar Chris. This was measured by tracking whether participants would sit on the chair that avatar Chris previously sat on.

Researchers found that all participants who wore the AR headset sat on the empty chair next to Chris instead of sitting right on the avatar. Of those participants who were asked to take off the headset before choosing their seat, 72 percent still chose to sit in the empty chair next to where Chris sat previously.

Social connections affected

“The fact that not a single one of the subjects with headsets took the seat where the avatar sat was a bit of a surprise,” Bailenson said. “These results highlight how AR content integrates with your physical space, affecting the way you interact with it. The presence of AR content also appears to linger after the goggles are taken off.”

In the third study, researchers examined how AR affects the social connection between two people who are having a conversation while one of them wears an AR headset. Researchers found that those wearing AR goggles reported feeling less socially connected to their conversation partner.

Bailenson said that additional studies, which he and his team are now working on, are needed to further examine the effects of augmented reality.

Further information on Research:

The AREA has a Research Committee specifically addressing challenges faced by the Enterprise AR industry.

Mark Miller works with lab manager Talia Weiss to run through the experiment during a testing phase. (Image credit: L.A. Cicero)