INDUSTRY WATCH
NEXT TO TECHNICAL FEATURES , SUPPORT FEATURES ARE A KEY FACTOR IN DECIDING WHICH SMART GLASSES ARE SUITABLE FOR DEPLOYMENT .
Today , smart glasses are widely used in many sectors , but particularly within manufacturing and logistics . As the world of work ramps up again following the pandemic , organisations are increasingly looking to wearable devices to enhance productivity and efficiency .
Smart glasses and supporting Augmented Reality ( AR ) are a solution for numerous inventive uses such as training in the warehouse by simulating the assembly process , the production stage , machine maintenance and even in customer service .
As smart glasses can work as an extension of existing tools , they can provide workers with the instructions and information needed to complete tasks at hand . This reduces the operational time required to manually cross-check every instruction and boosts efficiency . Furthermore , as employees can wear this technology , it is a hands-free experience which enables them to carry out more tasks and uplift their ergonomics at the same time .
As companies are increasingly discovering the advantages of using this new technology , there has been an upwards trajectory in its adoption . However , one step which can be challenging is how to choose a suitable model . Jan Junker , EVP Solution Sales & Delivery , TeamViewer , provides some insight into four aspects that can help your organisation select the right glasses :
1 . The work situation in which the smart glasses are used
One of the most important factors in selecting the right smart glasses is the working conditions of the employee in need of support . Companies should consider the following :
• Light conditions can influence the filming and scanning possibilities of the camera and the quality of AR elements
• Noise pollution can be critical for voice control and speech-to-text features
• Dust , dirt and moisture are critical factors which require different safety classifications ( e . g ., IP 66 / IP67 )
• Ambient temperature ( e . g ., in cold storage or steel production ) demand a corresponding temperature range of the smart glasses
• Explosion risks ( e . g ., in paint shops or gas production ) require ATX-certified smart glasses
• Smart glasses should not limit the movement patterns of workers ( e . g ., picking from low shelves )
2 . Features of smart glasses
Smart glasses differ in capabilities and appropriate glasses need to be selected per the requirement . Companies need to recognise which requirements they are looking for and what can enhance their workers ’ efficiency . Ultimately , the glasses need to be comfortable and easy to wear . If your employees aren ’ t happy to adorn the glasses or slow them down , the investment won ’ t be of much use . Therefore , it is essential to ensure that the hurdles are minimal and workers are comfortable . The following questions can help to figure out which features are needed :
• How robust should the glasses be ?
• How heavy are the smart glasses ? Can they be worn over an entire shift by workers ?
• Is the user ’ s view restricted and is it still suitable for certain dangerous situations ?
• How good is the camera resolution ?
• How good is the quality of the microphone for voice recognition ?
• How good is the performance of the Wi-Fi module ?
Jan Junker , EVP Solution Sales & Delivery , at TeamViewer
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