NASA engineers are exploring ways for astronauts to use AR-assisted smart glasses in space. An article published in MIT Technology Review, confirms that NASA is also certifying Microsoft’s HoloLens for launch into space on December 3, and despite obstacles, sees many use cases.

The article cites use cases that leverage the vast inventory of parts and objects on board the International Space Station. Using the inventory, a system may guide users to a needed object more quickly than alternatives. Returning objects to their designated storage place is another task that AR-assisted procedures could help astronauts perform with fewer errors. These tasks closely resemble use cases developed to support warehouse workers on Earth.

Augmented Reality procedures can also help astronauts perform a wide variety of preventive maintenance tasks. For example, astronauts will be assisted by their smart glasses when checking operation of emergency breathing equipment. Studies may be able to quantify the time savings as well as reduction in errors. Augmented Reality-assisted collaboration between astronauts and remote experts is also expected to help reduce time in pre-flight training and when performing tasks with unfamiliar payloads.

According to a brief announcement on the Naval Technology web site US Marines are testing the Office of Naval Research (ONR)-developed augmented immersive team trainer (AITT) system, as part of live-fire training exercises conducted on a base in Virginia.

The AITT system consists of a laptop, software and battery pack that support the use of a helmet-mounted display. Live, virtual and advanced training scenarios can be delivered to the trainee in real time. Systems like these can complement night vision-assisted devices that are widely available for night missions. Systems for use in bright light have been tested in combat scenarios in the past but deployment was limited due to technology shortcomings, cost, convenience and other factors that could put the user at risk.

A better trained ground force is one possible outcome of these tests. If adopted widely, growth in demand for solutions meeting defense training may bring down costs and increase availability of system component costs for enterprise uses.

Despite enthusiastic reports of success stories, there are significant obstacles to introducing any new technology.

On the AREA website the opportunities to change workplace performance is strongly documented. There’s also a commitment to approach challenges with open eyes. We applaud others who take the time to examine both sides of every new technology.

In this post on the NTT Data blog, Shamlan Siddiqi balances a previous post about wearables in energy and oil and gas industries with a careful examination of potential barriers to their adoption. He cites issues with inconsistent and intermittent usage, insufficient security and safety, limited feature sets and lack of maturity.

He concludes that the opportunities need to approached cautiously and introductions, where and when planned correctly will be phased and reuse popular consumer devices where possible.

Private pilots are now able to benefit from some of the same technologies used in heads-up displays of military jet pilots. According to a post on aviation industry blog “Flight club” the Aero Glass’ Augmented Reality-assisted software released in 2014 on Epson Moverio BT-200 will soon be published for Osterhout Design Group’s next-generation glasses.

The video published on the post illustrates how overlays showing air corridors, navigation and runway information appear from a pilot’s perspective during flight. Other use cases that could make flying in unfamiliar aircraft safer include checklists, customized for virtually any model or user.

The author predicts growing Augmented Reality use by pilots due to a new Federal Aviation Administration requirement that some aircraft share “automatic dependent surveillance broadcast” (ADS-B) data about their position “with ground stations and each other by 2020.” Complying with this new regulation will entail mandatory avionic upgrades and possible linkage with instrumentation, including new displays such as AR-enabled smart glasses.

Following recent coverage of Amazon’s alleged workplace practices in the news and social media, fears of workplace monitoring are increasingly an issue of concern for workers and managers with new technologies. In this post on The Guardian web site, the author suggests that with devices sending emails and notifications throughout the day, such as is possible with Google Glass, workers may suffer from information overload.

Questions about recording video and audio, whether in terms of a manager’s demanding your first-person footage of a task, or simply the danger of an entire workforce becoming walking CCTV cameras are raised. It’s unfortunate that the post does not in any way attempt to rank the different types of concerns or suggest the opinions of experts who have studied workplace performance when using smartglasses and other advanced technologies.

The AREA members are studying these issues and developing recommendations for their management.

Although things have changed since the end of the Cold War, many countries continue to invest in the latest technologies for their defense forces. Many Augmented Reality projects being introduced today are based on prior work for the military or defense sector.

In this short bulletin on Sputnik News website, Russian Armed Forces and others in the defense industry are exploring the introduction of helmets for pilots in combat. In the scenario described in the post, the pilot may be able to aim there weapons without using their hands with an Augmented Reality equipped helmet.

We’ve detected an increase in the frequency with which major business publications are writing about enterprise Augmented Reality. This post on The Economist blog is a great example of how to help readers understand the differences between AR for enterprise and that designed for consumers, as well as the distinctions between Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality.

The post which demystifies Augmented Reality features two of the AREA’s large enterprise customer members: Boeing and Newport News Shipbuilding and mentions the DAQRI smart helmet as a promising technology.

Although the promise of hands-free displays is large, the costs and other shortcomings of the technology are still high. In the near term many projects demonstrating the effectiveness of Augmented Reality will use tablets, according to Patrick Ryan of Newport News Shipbuilding.

Catavolt, a provider of enterprise application mobility solutions, has published a new eBook about optimizing manufacturing processes with real-time data which summarizes results of data collected from 111 manufacturing professionals in various disciplines about trends and technology that are driving operational excellence. This is an excellent resource for manufacturing and AR professionals.

In a recent post on the Catavolt blog some of the important study findings in relation to AR-assisted systems were summarized. Specifically, Augmented Reality is improving operational efficiencies in manufacturing by reducing production downtime, quickly identifying problems and keeping processes moving. An example provided is the use of AR in the assembly of F-35 Lightening II fighter jets at Lockheed Martin. It is interesting that there are not more companies mentioned or projects described.

Suggesting benefits of Augmented Reality is the first step in educating customers. Unfortunately, the Catavolt blog post fails to mention any of the obstacles that face those who are beginning to implement AR in their manufacturing processes. It would also have been valuable to gather insights on how early adopters in manufacturing industries are addressing major barriers encountered in the Augmented Reality introduction process.

Augmented Reality will eventually have an impact in most industries but some industries are earlier to adopt than others. Boeing, Airbus and other large manufacturers of aircraft and satellites have been introducing Augmented Reality.

Sikorsky Innovations, a division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a global leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service, is also on the look out for new technologies that could be disruptive in its industry. The company conducts contests to identify new developments as well as potential partners with which it can improve its operations and products.

One of the four focus areas on which the company’s sixth Entrepreneurial Challenge will focus is Augmented Reality for collaborative applications and complex manufacturing processes. In mid-July the company announced further details about the submission process and awards.

Applications are due to Sikorsky Innovations by 5 p.m. EDT on Friday, October 16th 2015.

Once again, the attention of automotive industry companies and those who follow and study them is focused on Augmented Reality in this feature story on the CompleteCar.ie blog. The author begins with a short definition of Augmented Reality for those who may not already be familiar with the term and then offers a summary of the many use cases for Augmented Reality in the automotive manufacturing processes, the sales and support for car owners, and the design of new cars.

By providing ten examples illustrated with images or videos, the feature shows that many leading car companies have experimented or delivered solutions using AR, the diversity as well as the long history of Augmented Reality in automotive.

Of course, the technology is not mature so the reader will also get a short overview of the drawbacks or risks of using existing Augmented Reality systems while driving.