Guidance

This use case pertains to contextually-triggered AR-enhanced step-by-step instructions for any task.

There are aspects of this use case category that overlap with assembly, remote assistance and navigation use cases.

Prior to AR Adoption

Guidance is defined as having one or more of the following characteristics:

• The order in which a user performs tasks is crucial or highly important to the desired outcome
• Involves performance of steps or use or selection of specific parts that are unique to the process
• Includes steps that involve one or more tools that could be confused
• Components or tools must be examined and their conformance to criteria confirmed by the user
• Requires components or tools that resemble one another but are unique or infrequently used
• Requires using a tool which is not located at the same location as where the work will be done (hence, the user may need guidance to obtain)
• The user may need to change locations to perform the task(s).

Even if a process is highly repetitive, there are some conditions in which a check list or step-by-step guide reduces uncertainty, errors and time to resolve doubt or correct errors. Instructions or an itemized list (e.g., pieces to be put in a unique customer order) can be provided to the user on paper (printed) or on a screen. In addition, while on the job, employees may need to perform tasks central to roles other than the one or few for which they are best qualified. In some circumstances, these “out of role” tasks may need to be done with detailed instructions without delay or no special training is required.

Business Challenges AR Introduction Addresses

Without Augmented Reality, getting the correct instructions and/or list of steps to the user at the right time with clarity and precision, is challenging. The user cannot carry or necessarily have full access to all documentation at all times. Further, the user may need to use new tools, or tools that are not immediately available. The user may need assistance to find, calibrate, operate the machine or tool which the instructions require the user to use. Finally, there are many objects in the physical world that resemble one another, but are, in fact and upon closer inspection are different. Without a strong and reliable system that automatically recognizes and tracks physical parts and tools, human errors are more frequent. In order to reduce errors, technicians must closely inspect all components. When the objects or components they choose are confirmed as being precisely the same as that called for in the instructions, the user may continue. Close examination and confirming choices takes time.

Use Case with AR

For guidance use cases, the user may have prior training about or experience performing a task or process, but receives a highly contextual guide as if a mentor were at their side. If using new tools or performing an unfamiliar process, the use of AR-enhanced guidance can confirm completion of a step before prompting the user to the next step. Due to the breadth of industries and high number of specific use cases that fit this category, it is not possible to describe all the different variations in which guidance offers an employee support. AR guide experiences can be stand-alone (running entirely on the user’s device), or connected via a network with company documentation and standard operating procedures. When the AR guidance system is integrated with operational systems including connected machines, supply chain management and order fulfillment systems, the employee does not need to intera directly with those services and explicitly log a task. In some conditions, the employees with high performance metrics can also become, with AR-assisted capture technology, the expert and record new instructions for others than will perform the same or similar tasks in the future. When the AR system is connected to the PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system, any changes made to the inspection process can be rolled out easily and quickly to the entire workforce.

Common roles of Users

• Any professional who needs to receive and to follow precise instructions

Business Benefits:

The primary benefits of AR-assisted guidance are the reduction in time and errors when performing a task or procedure. Other benefits include other measures of employee productivity and satisfaction. In some instances, particularly when the instructions are unique, AR-assisted guidance take the place of needing to remember a part or step and can, consequently, reduce a user’s cognitive load. In addition, there can be benefits due to lower training time and higher overall productivity of employees, even if they have not been trained on the specific tasks.