Heads up! Wearable heads-up displays are coming to a warehouse near you
A recent blog post by Zebra Technologies about wearable heads up displays will be of interest to many of our readers. It is based on an in depth interview about the use of heads up displays in the warehouse.
The article starts with a warning – “Ready to ditch handheld mobile devices in favor of this hands-free solution? Not so fast, says this technology expert.”
Wearable technologies are all the rage in the warehouse these days, with workers being accessorized with everything from smart glasses to smart watches and even wrist-strapped barcode scanners that promise to increase intelligence and productivity. But, one wearable that warrants a closer look in the coming months is the “heads-up display” or HUD.
Heads-up displays were first used by military fighter jet pilots who needed to be able to see data related to their aircrafts with the head positioned “up” and looking forward, instead of angled down looking at lower instruments. But the military isn’t the only one taking advantage of HUD technologies today.
Auto manufacturers are now integrating windshield-projected heads-up displays as both standard and optional features in certain models to help keep drivers’ eyes on the road in the digital age, and HUDs are being sold by third parties as standalone devices, much like GPS devices were in their early days.
However, the mounted heads-up displays described in these two scenarios are a bit different than the type of HUD technology that other manufacturers and their supply chain partners are setting their sights on right now.
This article focuses on an interview between Zebra’s in-house expert Todd Boone to paint a picture of how heads-up display technologies could be used in your factory, warehouse or distribution center and what they will likely look like.
Questions and topics covered in detail in the interview:
With the proliferation of mobile devices these days, why would warehouse or factory workers need a heads-up display? Can’t they access all the data need on their mobile computer, scanner or tablet, depending on their job?
Other issues covered in detail in this blog post include considerations for workers who wear prescription glasses, issues of comfort, weight, ruggedness and issues for adoption.
The full interview with all the questions answered can be read here.