WHAT IS AUGMENTED REALITY?
A computer-generated perception of the real world is enhanced through an interactive experience called augmented reality. Augmented reality uses software, apps, and hardware like AR glasses to superimpose digital material over actual settings and objects. This improves the user experience and transforms one's immediate environment into an interactive learning environment, both of which are very beneficial in manufacturing and Industry 4.0 operations. Industrial users can enhance and optimise technology and IoT networks through human intelligence, observation, and imagination. This enables them to become "one" with the systems and machines they work with.
ABOUT WORKING OF AUGMENTED REALITY
With augmented reality, users can interact with both the physical and digital worlds by superimposing digital data onto real-world items to create a 3D experience. However, AR cannot and does not exist in a vacuum; rather, its true worth lies in being a component of the Industry 4.0 ecosystem, which connects to the cloud and includes everything from big data to automated robotics.
Here is a description of how augmented reality works:
- In order to recognise a physical object or the environment surrounding the user, such as a piece of equipment or the layout of a warehouse, an AR-enabled device with a camera, such as smart glasses, a tablet, or a smartphone, parses a video feed.
- The connection between the physical and digital worlds is made by a digital twin, a 3D digital counterpart of the object in the cloud. It gathers data from both physical and digital objects.
- Then, data about the object is downloaded from the cloud via the augmented reality device. Using markers or trackers like GPS, accelerometers, orientation, and barometer sensors, among others, it overlays digital data on the object. This produces a 3D interface that is partly real and partly digital.
- The user can interact with an object or environment by moving around and giving commands to the cloud using a touchscreen, by voice, or with gestures, thanks to real-time data streaming from products.
APPLICATIONS OF AUGMENTED REALITY
Design and product development:
- Imagine being able to prototype virtual objects that designers and potential consumers can walk around and look at from every angle during the design and product development process. Before anything is ever produced, product designers can make their creations come to life, test them, and make adjustments thanks to augmented reality, digital twins, and the Internet of Things.
Maintenance, operational oversight, and security:
- With AR, employees may learn as much as they need to know about any machine they are using. To assess or fix a problem, they can connect with an expert anywhere in the world or get the most recent user handbook. This encourages non-interruptive performance and ongoing production.
Employee and operator training and learning:
- Augmented reality enables personnel to receive instruction on any piece of machinery or equipment "on demand," transforming their immediate environment into a platform for continuing learning. Additionally, it can offer situations and surroundings that let workers perfect their abilities while boosting productivity and safety.
Quality assurance:
- Integrating AR into quality control and assurance can speed up the time to market, improve production efficiency, and help prevent faults from occurring during manufacturing. For instance, IoT sensors implanted in product components can provide information to technicians using augmented reality glasses, alerting them to problems and generating information on each component.
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