AREA Member DAQRI has been in the news this week.  DAQRI’s Smart Glasses, released at CES this year, are the latest addition to its line of Augmented Reality gear, says an article in the Architect magazine.

DAQRI’s new release is a technology that builds on the company’s Smart Helmets. The Smart Helmet allows construction workers to use 4D displays and visual-inertial navigation to map out their surroundings. However the new Smart Glasses bring AR and VR technology to everyday office environments as well as industry.

The Smart Glasses operate on a sixth generation Intel Core m7 processor and use Intel’s RealSense LR200 Depth Sensor which can gauge depth and pinpoint the user’s location just like the Smart Helmet. However the main difference between both technologies is that the glasses, by design are noticeably more compact and are lighter that the helmet weighing in at 14 ounces. Unlike the helmet the glasses do not provide physical protection and do not allow thermal imaging technology that helped workers monitor and maintain work sites.

The Smart Glasses will excel in environments where employees would benefit from sharing files and images in real-time. They can help with remote assistance by utilizing its AR tracking camera which allows users to relay what they are seeing firsthand via the computer to their colleagues. These Smart Glasses by DAQRI also comes with a compute pack which can be connected and disconnected to share recorded information with co-workers.

An article was released this week on Austin Inno, discussing an AR game designed by Jackrabbit Labs, inspired by the game cornhole. It works by capturing a ‘marker’ with an iPhone camera, which the app then logs and remembers its position using the phone’s gyroscope and accelerometer.

We couldn’t help but notice that this technology is similar to scanning QR codes in the iQagent app.

You can see how iQagent uses this technology in their latest video detailing the function of their Augmented Reality app for the Plant Floor. The video includes:

• A list of where data is used on the plant floor
• How access to the data is essential to maintenance and repair
• How access at the point of service keeps production running smoothly
• Steps for accessing data using the iQagent app:
  1. Identify points of interest on your plant floor with a QR code
  2. Associate relevant data and resources to each point of interest
  3. Scan QR code with iQagent
• By scanning, hidden data and resources can be revealed, so users can now access all points of data on the plant floor

A recent article on IT World Canada discussed General Electric (GE) Corp.’s Wearables Challenge which was launched last year, and led to pilots being made for three use-case scenarios for AR headsets; assembly instructions and metrics, field service applications for calling an expert, and packing.

The projects involve the following AR organisations:

• AREA member DAQRI
• Google Glass
• HoloLens
• Vuzix

General Electric uses the Skylight software platform, built by AREA member Upskill Inc. (formerly APX Labs) to integrate traditional software applications to provide a sufficient platform for AR headset users. The World Economic Forum recognised Upskill as a ‘technology pioneer’ last year.

Using wearables to pilot Upskill’s Skylight platform is GE’s response to the industrial issue of maintaining complex machinery on tight budgets, and GE organised its innovation challenge so that wearables could be integrated into its workforce quickly. The platform increases efficiency from 30% to 50% from first use, and companies that use the technology experience a 30% increase in quality of output in addition to a 20% increase in resource utilisation.

Paul Boris, General Electric’s Vice President of Manufacturing Industries, views the deployment of wearables in three stages of development:

• Instruction
• Confirmation
• A profile of analytics on the machine

AR headsets are used in the manufacturing industry so that employees can access the information that enables them to complete the tasks they need to do. They also allow supervisors to provide assistance through a first-person perspective of their work.

A recent article by Michael R. Blumberg examines major players in the industry of Augmented Reality who have developed solutions in field service and maintenance in addition to use case scenarios. A number of AREA members are included.

The article initially discusses the multiple components which should be integrated in order to make AR applications successful: viewer technology, such as a mobile device or smart glasses; the application allowing the device to access what the engineer is viewing in real time, which produces extra content such as sound or graphics; also video streaming from the onsite engineer to a remote engineering expert.

AREA members APX Labs, iQagent, NGrain, Scope AR, and XMReality are all mentioned in the article as key industry players, in addition to AR Media, Epson, Fieldbit, Microsoft, and PTC. AR technology from each organisation is noted and described:

• APX – Their AR product Skylight is a platform which integrates with wearables such as smart glasses.
• iQagent – Their mobile-based AR app scans QR codes to provide information related to maintenance.
• NGrain – They have various AR applications, such as ProProducer, Viewer, Android Viewer, SDK, Consort, Envoy, and Scout.
• Scope AR – Their Worklink application provides instructions as well as 3D images on the mobile or wearable screen. They also produced Remote AR, which enables onsite employees to remotely communicate with experts.
• XMReality – Their product XM Reality Remote Guidance also enables onsite employees to receive visual instructions from remote experts.

Lockheed Martin Joins Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance Board

Lockheed Martin Brings Industry Expertise to AREA Board of Directors to Help Build Augmented Reality Ecosystem and Best Practices

WAKEFIELD, Mass., USA – December 13, 2016 — The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) announced today that Lockheed Martin has joined AREA at the Sponsor level and accepted a seat on its Board of Directors.  According to AREA Executive Director Mark Sage, Lockheed Martin, along with other AREA Enterprise members Bosch, Boeing, Huawei, and Newport News Shipbuilding and many others, have pledged support to drive ecosystem development and best practices for Augmented Reality (AR).

With over 30 members, the AREA is the only global membership funded alliance, helping to accelerate the adoption of Enterprise AR by creating a comprehensive ecosystem for enterprises, providers, and non-commercial institutes.  It supports innovative companies, aspiring to invest in AR who need a better understanding of the tools available, application possibilities, methods of implementation and return on investment.

The AREA provides a free and open exchange of best practices, lessons learned, and technological insights which can help enterprises effectively implement AR technology, boost operational efficiency and create long term benefit.

“Lockheed Martin is another strong and significant addition to the AREA Board of Directors,” said Sage. “They bring long experience with and a keen understanding of the tools, applications, and implementations of AR in the enterprise.  Their collaboration with AREA members in defining this emerging industry through research, networking, education and best practice is a welcome addition.”

The AREA’s membership benefits include access to high-quality, vendor-neutral content and participation in various programs, a research framework to address key challenges shared by all members, discounts for fee-based events, and more. Sponsor members have a direct role in shaping the rapidly expanding AR industry and demonstrate their companies’ leadership and commitment to improving workplace performance.

About the AREA

The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) the AREA is the only global membership funded alliance, helping to accelerate the adoption of Enterprise AR by creating a comprehensive ecosystem. The organization provides high-quality, vendor-neutral content and programs. Discover the benefits of joining the AREA by visiting our membership information page.

Earlier this week, an article on IoT Agenda focuses on how Augmented Reality technology is being utilized in areas of the enterprise such as maintenance, field service, and marketing.
Significant points mentioned in the article include:

• AR technology provides essential information to workers that improves productivity, delivers optimal maintenance, and streamlines customer interactions
• The increase of AR is mostly due to the rise of smartphones, smart sensors, and improved 3D graphics
• According to Digi-Capital, ARVR revenues is expected to reach $120 billion by 2020, $90 billion of which will come from AR applications
• A PWC report has claimed that AR is on the increase due to field workers requiring hands-free devices that provide information such as instructions, charts, schematics, lists, etc., which enables them to diagnose problems and repair equipment remotely
• Currently, the main use of AR applications is in marketing
• Jay Wright, the president and general manager at Vuforia, is quoted to have said that AR is a valuable selling tool for both industrial and consumer products
• However, AR applications are also very useful for training and maintenance in the enterprise
• AR can provide real-time data, instructions, and blueprints on the plant floor; this enables workers to address downtime issues
• AR devices also allow remote communication between engineers and plant floor workers
• AR improves efficiency and makes a safer environment for warehouse workers
• The technology can direct workers to the correct location, and facilitate packing and shipping
• Lisa Woodley, vice president of experience design at NTT Data, has said that AR can also potentially be used for quality and inspection

A recent article on SearchCIO discusses how Augmented and Virtual Reality devices are transforming the workplace and production.
Important points in the article include:

• Black and Veatch have begun using Microsoft HoloLens to view data on the infrastructure being analysed, and have identified various potential uses for the technology
• ARVR technology is expected to drive productivity and improve quality to bring significant ROIs to companies
• In the manufacturing industry, AR tech provides workers with information and instructions that is layered onto the physical workspace, so they device is hands-free
• Engineering and construction companies also use AR in a similar way; it also enables remote expertise as professionals can remotely guide employees
• International Data Corp. have predicted that ARVR worldwide revenues will increase by at least $156.8 billion from 2016 to 2020
• AR is currently more applicable than VR
• Forrester Research has also predicted that AR tech will become commonplace in the next five years
• Accenture Digital have designed and built an AR application that allows consumers to choose different colours for a car using a tablet and view it in the physical space before them
• Ford Motor Co. has been working with ARVR tech since 1999, which it uses to solve ergonomic issues and review engineering and design specs
• Companies can work with different tech organisations for software and hardware relevant to ARVR applications
• IT departments still need to develop content to feed into ARVR systems and create integration
• Black and Veatch found that using mobile version of applications is better in an AR environment because the content is designed for smaller screens
• As ARVR enterprise tools are merging with other new tech such as artificial intelligence, more specialist skills will be required

A press release dated November 9 2016 is available. Scope AR is an AREA member providing advanced AR training solutions. Scope AR has announced a licence with Caterpillar Inc to provide an Augmented Reality based live support video calling platform built specifically for the unique remote assistance needs of industries using heavy machinery. A first-of-its kind partnership, Scope AR and Caterpillar are delivering the unprecedented ability for the Caterpillar dealer network to leverage the benefits of augmented reality (AR) for live support in repairing, troubleshooting a problem or conducting maintenance on equipment.

Scope AR’s platform will be available to more than 160 Cat dealers, Cat machinery users and others under the Cat brand worldwide.

The full press release can be read here.

A statement recently published on PR Wire details a discussion with Dr Rab Scott, Head of Virtual Reality and Modelling Group at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing, who are an AREA Member.

Dr Rab Scott is set to deliver a case study presentation at the GCC Manufacturing Excellence and Technology Summit November 14-15 2016 in Dubai. Ahead of this, he discusses a number of interesting topics, telling how he was one of the 8 founding members of the AMRC with Boeing in 2001. Dr Rab Scott works on Virtual and Augmented Reality projects. He discusses the advantages of incorporating VR into manufacturing processes to test scenarios, designs and factory layouts before actual implementation. He also talks about modelling, simulation and visualization as critical technologies as tools for increasing value on projects, specifically in manufacturing contexts.

Dr Rab Scott will be presenting an overview of the history and culture behind one of the UK’s leading manufacturing research centres and case studies on how VR and AR provide value for the partners of the AMRC with Boeing.

Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate announced ten startup organisations to participate in EMERGE 2016: Wearable Technology, which will connect strategic partners through a common aim for development and research. The link to the program can be found here.

The program is centred around wearable tech used especially by first responders; they require devices such as advance sensors, integrated voice, embedded data communications, and body-worn electronics, and wearables can integrate multiple technologies. The program will also allow the startups access to feed back from first responders, industry partners, and educational resources for business development from mentors.

Dr. Reginald Brothers, the Under Secretary for Science and Technology, is quoted to have said that the startup selection is essential for innovating, and that entrepreneurs are major players in inventing solutions for integrating tech into existing equipment.

Listed below are the ten selected startups, the first two of which are AREA members. The AREA would like to wish them all the best in the program:

• Augmate
• Six15 Technologies
• CommandWear Systems
• HAAS Alert
• Human Systems Integration
• Lumenus
• LuminAID
• Pear Sports
• Vault RMS
• Visual Semantics