AR in Leading Edge Utilities Event Identifies Opportunities and Challenges with Augmented Reality
In July we partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the IEEE Standards Association, Sponsor members of the AREA, to conduct the first AR in Leading Edge Utilities event in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A post on the IEEE Standards Association blog summarizes the results of the two-day event. “Safety issues were the dominant theme, consistent with the high priority on safety emphasized by utilities,” reports Rudi Schubert, new technology initiatives director and the author of this post. The utilities industry representatives said they want Augmented Reality solutions to be demonstrated as enhancing worker safety, not introducing distractions that can lead to unsafe situations.
Hardware communications and security were also key issues influencing utility purchasing decisions. A need for compatibility with existing infrastructure and an ability to use existing digital asset information will be drivers in assuring that AR solutions provide an acceptable return on investment.