Teledyne FLIR announced it won a $15.7 million contract in December to develop augmented reality software that can pinpoint chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, or CBRN, threats and map them for the military. The contract was awarded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s Joint Science and Technology Office.

For reconnaissance and decontamination missions, a remotely operated vehicle would first move through an area where hazardous materials may be present and collect data using sensors, said Jeremy Walker, the director of science and technology for the company’s Pittsburgh location.

That data is then digitally registered and used to create an AR display of the area that highlights dangers, he added.

“As they’re moving through that space, they’re seeing these heat maps of where things were detected and what they are,” Walker said. “Once that data is captured by that tip of the spear reconnaissance mission, then many other subsequent users … can use that data to do their mission better.”

The mapping and AR technology will be integrated into the military’s Tactical Assault Kit suite of tools, which could be a mobile phone or tablet. Mixed reality headsets, like the Integrated Visual Augmentation System, are also an option, Walker said.

“All those people farther back don’t necessarily have to have sensors in their hand to know where the threat is to be able to do their work,” he said. “You’ve got this tool that helps people intuitively interact with it so they can keep their hands free to do other things.”

As it develop the technology, Teledyne FLIR’s Pittsburgh lab will be looking to work with existing and new partners in augmented reality and 3D-mapping spheres to help build the software, he said.

Unplanned equipment downtime continues to cost manufacturing companies $50 billion each year, with aging equipment being the leading cause of extended downtimes. Manufacturers are increasingly looking to move to planned predictive maintenance to reduce downtimes and increase the longevity of equipment.

To improve equipment uptime and increase their operational life, manufacturers have transitioned from reactive maintenance that is largely inefficient to preventive maintenance, which is based on proactively servicing equipment to increase machine longevity. In Industry 4.0, preventive or planned maintenance continues to be the dominant approach favored by nearly 80% of maintenance personnel.

Having said that, this preventive maintenance strategy is not optimized to manage the complexities of Industry 4.0. For the most part preventive maintenance works around ‘fixed’ schedules or as a response to failure events.  In this article we will explore why manufacturing companies need to go beyond scheduled preventive maintenance and how a Connected Worker Platform can help them take the next step into data driven planned predictive maintenance.

What is Predictive Maintenance?

In today’s manufacturing, companies are focusing on improving their Overall Equipment Effectiveness or OEE score to increase machine uptime and productivity. For an optimized OEE score, manufacturers need to focus their maintenance-related activities around factual real-time data about manufacturing assets instead of measuring them against hypothetical end-of-life parameters.

Predictive maintenance is  about scheduling maintenance-related activities around accurate data-based predictions about the asset’s life. Planned predictive maintenance is facilitated by large volumes of asset data collected from equipment sensors, smart machines, augmented service tasks and robots. According to McKinsey, predictive maintenance reduces machine downtime by 30-50% and improves machine life by 20-40%.

Predictive Maintenance benefits Manufacturing companies by enabling:

• Real-time visibility into the current machine conditions, thus accurately predicting and preventing possible downtime.
• Effective cost savings by minimizing any planned machine downtime and maximizing equipment lifetime.
• Improved planning of maintenance activities by integrating the asset condition with the production schedules and demand forecasts.
• Improved productivity for the maintenance team personnel and enabling asset managers to improve OEE scores.

Next, let us see how a Connected Worker platform can help in elevating predictive maintenance in the manufacturing domain.

How Connected Workforce Platforms Improve Predictive Maintenance?

Through data-driven predictive maintenance, valuable insights about asset conditions can now be extracted that can facilitate the remote maintenance process. With the use of Augmented Reality (AR) technology in the Front Line Worker platform, remote technicians are better positioned to conduct asset repairs including complex machine parts. AR technology eliminates travel-related costs for support engineers by providing remote assistance and gets expertise where you need it.

Further, real-time data visibility can be used to streamline preventive maintenance operations in manufacturing facilities and allow the allocation of necessary resources to assets that need immediate attention. Front Line Worker platforms and technologies also elevate the quality of  inspections performed by technicians. Step-by-step visual work instructions available on Front Line platforms also enhance machine inspections and audits in any manufacturing facility.

Conclusion

According to ABI Research, predictive maintenance is expected to have an installed base of over 9.8 million devices in the next five years.

Low code/no code Connected Worker platforms boost predictive maintenance operations by providing real-time machine information in a convenient digital format that allows companies to iterate and improve their processes to achieve peak efficiency. This reduces machine downtime and improves OEE in the age of Industry 4.0.

With its Connected Workforce platform, Atheer has been providing innovative AR-enabled solutions that overcome many industry pain points including machine maintenance work for some of the largest companies in the world. The Atheer platform is here to empower maintenance engineers with resources including AR-based remote assistance, work instructions, and digital workflows to make sure they can do their best work every time. It’s time to free your teams from wasting thousands of hours per year per asset in dual data entry, eliminate inefficient processes and streamline operations with end-to-end support.

Overall, the solution helped PBC Linear operate and scale more effectively in several areas.

Deliver New Efficiencies and Process Improvements
PBC Linear utilized Taqtile’s Manifest on Magic Leap 1 to reduce training time for workers from almost three weeks to just three days – an 80% reduction in time.

Boost Productivity and Minimize Downtime
Along with reduced training time, PBC Linear saved almost $100,000 (USD) by reducing scrap and minimizing costly errors.

Attract Better Talent and Reduce Employee Turnover
New employees were enthusiastic to use Magic Leap’s augmented reality device to train more effectively and to increase productivity.

Simplify Training Procedures
Magic Leap’s device made PBC Linear’s training more efficient and interactive.

Save on Costs Tied to Training, Down-time and Human Error
PBC Linear realized substantial employee cost savings, including savings of more than $7,000 (USD) per employee across new machinist onboarding.

In case you missed this in-depth discussion of our manufacturing case study with PBC Linear and Taqtile, the webinar is now available for you to view. Watch Magic Leap’s video and resources 

Visit Magic Leap’s AREA member profile

Operating all across the globe, Molenaar is known for its high-quality food processing equipment, serving the biggest clients in the food and beverage industry. As a renowned market leader in heavy machinery manufacturing, they strive to offer the best customer service after equipment delivery and installation. Molenaar touched upon the possibilities of enterprise augmented reality already before the Covid-19 pandemic hit. Yet, the imposed travel restrictions made the organization adopt the technology with full force.

Lead service engineer Marius Menezies is based in the busy hub of Johannesburg, South Africa, and directs a team of local technicians. The heavy machines are assembled, tested and manufactured, before being shipped to their clients worldwide. Marius provides direct support when technical issues arise during and after the installation process on the client’s site. As these machines need to be configured carefully, it’s common practice for Molenaar’s technicians to visit their client’s site. In addition, in case of machine breakdowns or repairs, skilled technicians travel on-site to their clients to have this fixed as soon as possible; since not working or obsolete machines cost the company thousands of dollars by the minute.

Fixing food processing machinery issues from a distance

With multiple customers located all over the world, it’s impossible for HG Molenaar’s engineers and technicians to constantly be on the road, and on top of that, the Covid-19 pandemic’s travel restrictions forced HG Molenaar to structurally think in a different direction. By using smart glasses technology, remote assistance sessions would allow issues to be fixed from a distance, without the need to travel. Here, the local technicians wear the glasses, and thanks to the built-in cameras and microphone, Marius and his team can then give feedback from a distance in real-time, fixing issues in twice as little time compared to the traditional way. Besides this, they also use the glasses for training purposes, resulting in faster onboarding of new employees.

The ideal hands-free solution for fixing heavy food processing machinery

The ‘plug-and-play’ interface ensures the glasses are extremely easy to use. Together with our remote assistance software partner Wizzeye, technicians simply log in and start recording their remote assistance session. Connecting each other over wi-fi, the remote technician gives detailed instructions to the local crew. In fact, the central camera and powerful zoom lens ensure remote collaboration over video gets a new, more powerful dimension. The remote technician sees exactly what the local technician sees on-site and can even make annotations and send them over via the small display screen in the glasses. He can additionally zoom into the smallest details and use the laser pointer to pinpoint exactly which actions need to be taken. “What I really like about the glasses is that you can simply use your own private smartphone. It’s so easy to use. After logging in and connecting with the other party, you simply tuck your phone away in a dedicated pouch and hook this onto your belt. This way, you have both of your hands available to do your job. So convenient”, Marius states.

HG Molenaar’s expert technicians provide instant feedback from a distance via video collaboration

Better operational efficiency and fewer machine breakdowns

The ease of use of the glasses advances both Marius and his team as well as the local technicians. Both encounter more productivity in terms of better operational efficiency and fewer machine breakdowns. By using smart glasses, the remote expert can use the time he would normally spend on traveling on other duties. Especially in Marius’ case, this is a big advantage as he sometimes gets calls in the middle of the night from the night shift. In this case, the glasses offer the perfect solution to resolve an issue the fastest way possible.

Besides productivity gains, using smart glasses also allows the company to offer better training and new employee onboarding. With branches spread around all across the country, it oftentimes occurs that the Johannesburg location needs assistance from the main headquarters in Cape Town and vice versa. Here, one technician wears the glasses while the other provides instant feedback and like this, they train each other from a distance. Here again, the smart glasses offer a viable solution to connect technicians from a distance and to quickly share tribal knowledge.

Smart glasses: A long term cost-saving solution

For Molenaar, using smart glasses has been a win-win for both their own technicians and their clients. Not only do their own employees save a huge amount of time on traveling, but also travel expenses are pushed back to a minimum. “The price of a pair of smart glasses compared over the long term with plane tickets and other travel costs is remarkable”, Marius adds. “It’s a much better cost-savings alternative.”

The industry is bracing for major changes as 5G towers continue to pop up across the United States. Said to be up to ten times faster than 4G depending on the carrier, many people are looking forward to the improvements and efficiency 5G will bring to different aspects of connectivity.

Obviously, faster internet speeds will make the millions of people working from home since the pandemic happier and more efficient. Faster connectivity also means great things for the gaming industry, including faster download speeds for streaming and mobile gaming. Other industries will feel this transformation as well, including consumer electronics and smart home security, allowing security cameras to transfer data faster. However, the biggest benefit will be the introduction and acceleration of technological innovations reliant on faster connectivity in order to really take off.

For example, cutting-edge technology like artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are all emerging innovations that will excel as 5G continues to roll out. Although these tools will become commonplace in the many industries telecoms facilitate, AR will become a common tool to reduce costs and time spent on projects in the field for telecom organizations specifically.

As telecom companies continue to focus on the expansion of their current offerings and services, their technology is becoming increasingly more advanced, requiring highly experienced technicians. Running a talent deficit, the industry is turning to smarter solutions like AR. Wearable smart glasses can allow field workers to collaborate with the appropriate consultants at the organization’s headquarters, using AR to overlay information, training docs and video in the worker’s field of view. Applications that AR can be used for include employee training, field service management, remote support and collaboration, record keeping and inventory.

For example, to ensure uninterrupted telecom service to end users, companies conduct regular equipment inspections. These inspections are time-consuming and expensive, which is why AR is being adopted to help alleviate these pain points, ultimately cutting travel costs and allowing advanced assistance when necessary. Additionally, remote collaboration tools enabled by AR wearables help support telecom organizations’ MRO for complex data centers. Remote expert assistance provides frontline technicians with the ability to diagnose critical equipment issues more efficiently while streamlining repairs. Limiting downtime of equipment such as servers, cooling systems, and various cable arrangements provide cost savings for telecom workforces and their end users.

Currently, the adoption of AR across many industries is being slowed by the lack of high-speed connectivity. 5G will resolve any hiccups holding this technology back, getting rid of lag and stalls and increasing latency. More widespread broadband will result in a larger coverage area as well, enabling less experienced workers to get in the  field faster while communicating with an experienced remote technician. Not to mention, wireless wearables will improve mobility as well, giving workers in more active industries like construction and healthcare the full range of motion they need to complete their tasks.  5G will also allow the transmission of 3D models such as high polygon count CAD and BIM model overlay with more stability as higher amounts of data can be transmitted quicker- this is massive for construction use cases.

5G will also establish larger connectivity networks, unifying platforms such as mobile devices, smart homes and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Eventually, this connectivity will also lead to a much broader web of digital connections known as the metaverse.

2022 Predictions

There is no question that the rollout of 5G will cause a global digital transformation like never before. As mentioned, we will start to see technology like AR begin to accelerate with the support of fast broadband connectivity. This will create a ripple effect across multiple industries, promoting the adoption of technology with telecoms at the center

Wireless and mobile tech, such as wearables, will also begin to take off as 5G expands coverage areas — enabling telecom workers and professionals across other industries to enjoy more freedom and widespread mobility.

As a direct result of these emerging technologies, we will also begin to see more money pour into the industry with venture capitalists turning their attention to telecom innovations. With new technology and companies popping up in such a fruitful industry, we will also begin to see partnerships form, consolidating the industry.

Overall, 5G will be the catalyst for the acceleration of advanced technologies across more industries than just telecoms, broadening what’s possible in this digital age with faster connectivity.

Find out more about ThirdEye on their AREA member profile. 

There are three ways that quality inspectors can benefit from augmented reality-equipped headsets:

Real-time Feedback with Computer Vision

Augmented reality-enabled headsets can provide real-time feedback to quality inspectors. By pairing an augmented reality (AR) headset (assuming it has a camera) with the latest computer vision software, an AI algorithm may be able to spot defects or anomalies in real-time. For example, industrial companies could integrate AI with upcoming AR headsets to automatically find flaws in production.

In layman’s terms, computer vision is the process of making sense of digital images. A computer can understand what is in an image and extract information from it. This can be used to detect objects, recognize faces, and track movement. For the industrial sector, computer vision helps find imperfections on surfaces or different pieces of equipment.

With augmented reality, headsets will provide real-time feedback to quality inspectors on the manufacturing floor. More importantly, AR headsets can superimpose graphics in the quality inspector’s field of view. By overlaying labels or annotations on top of the image, the quality inspector can be given feedback on what to look for and where to find it. This technique of defect superimposition will increase the accuracy of visual defect detection and the speed at which human inspectors do it.

Training and Guidance

New augmented reality technologies can also provide training and guidance to quality inspectors. By providing step-by-step interactive instructions, augmented reality can help new quality inspectors learn the ropes of a job quickly and easily. And for experienced quality managers, augmented reality can provide additional guidance on finding specific types of defects.

For example, automotive inspectors could use augmented reality to help them identify defects on a vehicle door. Additionally, augmented reality could guide the best inspection techniques to examine a product for defects. Such a technology would help ensure that all products are visually inspected in the same manner, thus increasing accuracy.

Training is important for all factory workers, but it is vital for people in charge of quality control, as they are the ones who determine whether a particular product is in or out of tolerance. Therefore, making training and on-the-job education more interactive and enjoyable for quality inspectors should be a priority for many manufacturers.

Data Analysis

Finally, augmented reality headsets can also be used for data analysis. After an inspection is complete, the data collected by the augmented reality headset can be analyzed to look for trends or patterns. This historical data could then be used to improve the quality inspection process.

For example, if a specific type of defect is common in one area of the factory compared to another, a manufacturer could take steps to address this. Or, if a quality inspector discovers that a particular product line has many defects, the inspector could take action to improve the manufacturing process.

It may be necessary to integrate multiple data sources to implement these improvements, but augmented reality can serve as a core visual baseline to bring outside data into the fold. By spatially registering machine-readable data, AR headset location, and on-device defect detection, a recommendation engine could suggest optimizations for production processes.

When Can I Expect to See AR In My Factory?

It is still early for augmented reality in the industrial sphere, but we can expect to see more augmented reality applications appearing over the next few years. For example, one of the first augmented reality headsets to be released for industrial use is the Microsoft HoloLens. Still, we expect major tech companies to also compete in this market.

In short, AR headsets may take a little while to become commonplace in factories, but augmented reality is not a technology to ignore. The benefits of augmented reality for quality managers are too great.

How to Get Started

If you are interested in learning more about augmented reality for the industrial sector, you can do a few things. First, attend some digital trade shows and technology conferences throughout the year. We highly recommend the NVIDIA conferences. These events will give you a good overview of the current state of augmented reality and where it is headed in the future.

Second, read some recently published white papers on augmented reality for industrial use. This will help you understand how augmented reality can be used in a manufacturing setting. In addition, white paper authors often include technical applications and guides, which can help develop a practical augmented reality strategy.

Finally, if you are looking for a more hands-on approach, consider hiring an augmented reality developer. They can help you develop an AR application tailored specifically for your needs.

Conclusion

Augmented reality can help quality managers find defects before they cause a problem. By pairing an augmented reality headset with computer vision, these quality managers will get defect-finding assistance on their augmented reality headsets when visually inspecting products. This technology is still in its early stages, but augmented reality will likely revolutionize the quality inspection process.

AR in Marketing 

With the average person being exposed to between 6,000 and 10,000 advertisements per day, a successful ad has to stand out to gain any traction.

Fortunately, marketing mediums can now be brought to life using AR. Using this technology, marketers can utilize 3D animations in brochures, billboards, and even on storefronts. When ads incorporate AR, it’s almost like the viewer is playing a video game, which keeps them engaged and interested in what’s being advertised.

Coca-Cola, for example, created a successful AR ad for its Arctic Home Campaign. This campaign focused on protecting polar bears and maintaining their habitats. Through an interactive ad, visitors could attend an augmented reality event at the Science Museum in London and interact with virtual animals. This innovative event took Coca-Cola’s campaign from mere words on a page explaining why saving polar bears was important to creating a connection between viewers and the cause.

Taco Bell has used AR to advertise itself in sillier ways. Using a Snapchat filter, users were able to turn their face into a Taco Bell taco and share it with friends through the app. Other companies like Starbucks have made a game of getting an iced coffee, designing filters that help consumers decide which Starbucks drink to buy.

AR in Manufacturing

Augmented reality has provided excellent solutions for manufacturing businesses everywhere, from spotting errors to assembling a 3D prototype.

Training 

The great part of augmented reality is that there isn’t a need to waste valuable material when training employees. In the past, when a new factory employee came in and, while being trained, had to conduct a repair on a vehicle or equipment, a mistake could cost time and resources.

With ongoing advancements in tech, AR has become a valuable tool for manufacturers to train less experienced employees to reassemble and repair equipment through a realistic simulation. NASA is actively experimenting with using AR to train employees on doing repairs in outer space. The technology they utilize, Microsoft’s HoloLens headset, allows workers to “see” data that simplifies repairs.

Boeing also uses AR glasses powered by Skylight to guide technicians in wiring hundreds of planes a year.

Maintenance 

Augmented reality can also be used to assess the status of equipment, from temperature, potential points of failure, and even rate of vibration. This is especially useful for preventative maintenance and to avoid costly repairs or even business shutdowns. This also makes tracking whether a piece of equipment is due for service more manageable.

GE Aviation reports that by adding AR into their facilities, they have experienced upward of a 12% increase in efficiency. Meanwhile, Caterpillar created an app that uses AR so that technicians can perform maintenance tasks on CAT machines by following sequential instructions.

Product Development  

When developing a new product, it’s important to assess any potential process problems or quality issues before it makes its way to the consumer. Fortunately, with the integration of augmented reality in product development, AR basically lets you “sit inside your design as you’re creating it,” or, truly visualize its inner and outer workings.

While pen and paper will never go out of style, digital visualizations streamline workflows and also make employee collaboration much easier — this is especially true in a time when meeting in person isn’t always possible.

AR technology also allows engineers and designers to make further design changes or variations to a product in real-time using augmented reality before casting it to the entire team. This means different ideas and designs can be tested before a prototype is actually created.

According to Microsoft, the digitization of sales and manufacturing has also reduced delivery times by as much as four times for companies like Thyssenkrupp. Thyssenkrupp, an industrial engineering and steel production company, has used Microsoft’s HoloLens to develop mobility solutions to “help people overcome physical limitations.”

A few other benefits of AR in product development include:

• Walking inside 3D models
• Examining details from all angles
• Providing live feedback
• Making flexible adjustments

Inventory

Inventory management can benefit greatly from augmented reality, as workers can use AR headsets or tools to receive order picking instructions, the location of products, and other useful information.

Walmart announced plans in 2020 to turn four of its brick and mortar locations into “test stores” to prototype and test solutions for products in real-time.

As well, to enhance internal processes, Walmart developed an app to accelerate the time it takes to get products on the sales floor. “Instead of scanning each box individually, associates just hold up a handheld device, and the app uses augmented reality to highlight the boxes that are ready to go,” said a release from Walmart.

AR in Healthcare 

What if it were possible to see bones and organs without having to physically cut open a patient’s body? With augmented reality, surgeons can determine where to make injections, locate veins for drawing blood, perform low-risk surgeries, and save time in emergency situations.

Using AR, surgeons can enter patient CT scans and MRI data into AR headsets before surgery. This allows them to overlay this information and determine problem areas before any physical procedure takes place.

In February of 2021, Johns Hopkins performed its first augmented reality surgeries in living patients. The first surgery, which required placing multiple screws into a spine to relieve back pain, and the second surgery, one to remove a cancerous tumor, were both successful. The physicians used a headset with see-through eye displays to see images of each patient’s bones and tissue from previous CT scans, “essentially giving the surgeons X-ray vision.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors in London also utilized AR technology to keep healthcare employees safe. Using HaloLens, a live feed was streamed onto a computer screen in a nearby room, which let healthcare professionals see what the doctor was seeing when treating a patient.

Tools like Curiscope have also created an immersive experience for children to learn about the body. The “Virtuali-tee Human Body T-shirt” and accompanying app by Curiscope displays colorful and realistic human organs for educational purposes.

Where will augmented reality go from here? Maybe Pokémon Go will get its second wind of mass popularity or perhaps the new big thing will be the Metaverse, which mixes augmented and virtual reality into one.

In a new competitive assessment of enterprise augmented reality platforms, ABI Research identifies which current AR vendors can deliver the most business value – now and in the future – using the following criteria:

• Customers, partnerships, and footprint
• Use case applicability
• Internet of Things synergy
• Machine vision capabilities
• Transformative technology capabilities
• Data visualization capabilities

From the PTC website you can download the full report and discover why PTC Vuforia “remains at the top” of ABI’s ranking with the “most innovation” among AR platforms.

Skilled labor gap

With a generation filled with skills entering retirement, the manufacturing industry is witnessing a looming labor shortage. As a result, manufacturers are struggling to find motivated, knowledgeable employees for the job.

Machine intelligence

The manufacturing industry is increasingly using the Internet of Things. A majority of firms either have already implemented the technology or are on the verge of implementing the Internet of Things machines. These smart machines assist companies in collecting useful information that can aid them in improving productivity and implementing predictive maintenance.

Maximizing automation

COVID-19 has shown us all that this is a critical time to explore the implementation of automation technologies (and all things Industry 4.0, including collaborative robotics, autonomous material movement, the internet of things, and artificial intelligence).

System age and usability

Today’s workers need an updated system. Internal users require updated systems that can assist them in better job performance. Updated systems offer flexibility, greater insight, and speed – permitting workers to perform their tasks more efficiently and effectively.

Growing with increasing demand

• Increasing capacity – having so much demand that you need to increase capacity can force choices, like moving to a new facility or expanding your existing facility.
• Demand-driven manufacturing – many manufacturers are just keeping up with work based on orders from existing customers, leaving little time or money to invest in other critical initiatives.

Trade war effects

Current trade wars affect all industry sectors. Manufacturing is not an exception since finished products and raw materials are sourced and sold across the globe. In the coming year, the industry is considering tactical changes to ease the impact of trade wars that are always heating up.

Supply chain visibility

There must be real-time, granular visibility within the entire supply chain. Manufacturers must be aware of every detail. They must know when products delay reaching the market. Being updated on such situations will give them an upper hand to adjust or rectify the problem.

Reshoring

Businesses are rethinking their global manufacturing strategies. Companies are motivated to participate in reshoring efforts due to rising foreign wages, rising tariffs, and reconsiderations of the total cost of ownership.

Responding to Covid-19

The effects of COVID-19 have impacted manufacturing, top to bottom. It’s hard, even with a business plan, to adequately address the unpredictable and rapid variables of the outbreak: quarantining, restricting travel options, closing schools, disrupting supply chains, etc.

The “Most Admired Companies” list highlights exceptional organizations that are rated on nine reputational attributes. Companies also receive an overall corporate reputation score based on the average of the attribute scores.

The nine reputational attributes that companies are evaluated on are:

• Ability to attract and retain talented people
• Quality of management
• Social responsibility to the community and the environment
• Innovation
• Quality of products or services
• Wise use of corporate assets
• Financial soundness
• Long-term investment value
• Effectiveness in doing business globally

This year, 640 of the world’s largest companies by revenue were ranked, spanning 52 industries and 28 countries. Fortune surveyed approximately thousands of senior executives, outside directors, and industry analysts to determine this year’s top companies.

Companies eligible to make the “Most Admired Companies” list must be listed in Fortune’s Global 500 database, where companies with revenues of $10 billion
or more are tracked.

“We’re honored to be ranked among Fortune’s Most Admired Companies,” said Medtronic chairman and CEO Geoff Martha. “This recognition reflects the dedication of 90,000 Medtronic employees, all working to advance our Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. And it is particularly meaningful, given the many challenges we have all faced throughout the pandemic. Being named a “Most Admired Company” fuels my excitement and drive to continue to carve our path forward, while reinforcing our commitment to making a positive impact on the world.”

To find out about Medtronic’s work in Augmented Reality, see their member profile page.