Augmented reality – the way we do things

Augmented reality, or AR, enables us to experience our surroundings in new ways. AR can also fundamentally change how we design, manufacture, operate and service products. As the technology increasingly augments our leisure and business activities, it is changing our

Augmented Reality
man on the coast using his smartphone to catch monter. Augmented reality concept. All screen graphics are made up.

More reality

Augmented reality, or AR, enables us to experience our surroundings in new ways. AR can also fundamentally change how we design, manufacture, operate and service products. As the technology increasingly augments our leisure and business activities, it is changing our interaction with the world.

It’s something we all do

AR is a way of overlaying computer-generated virtual worlds onto the physical world. This additional information enhances our perceptions. Through AR, an additional layer of information can be generated merely by pointing your mobile device at an object. In a recent popular game, players hunt down virtual characters. These appear before them in real time on smartphone screens. This game has made AR more popular with the general public: it briefly determined the life not only of players but also of the media.

Everyday applications

Moving from the world of games to applications that have a practical impact on people’s lives, global technology companies are working on ways to expand AR applications in daily life.

  • Just by pointing your smartphone at a household gas meter, for instance, you can instantly access information on consumption. This will allow you to control your gas usage to conserve energy efficiently.
  • Alternatively, when you point your smartphone at a 2D house plan, a 3D model pops up. You can then send that data to a 3D printer.
  • You could also use your smartphone to display products in 3D from a 2D catalog. That could influence your purchasing decision. Of course, you could also place an order directly.

Being able to observe products or objects in 3D reality means being able to gather more comprehensive information. This additional information creates better purchasing conditions for prospective customers. However, this is merely the tip of the iceberg, as AR applications are truly endless. They will bring convenience and knowledge to all aspects of life.

Augmented reality in the process industry

The aim is not to hunt pokémons in a process plant, of course. Yet this intuitive technology can nevertheless also be usefully employed in the process industry. Numerous scenarios have shown that augmented reality can complement remote operations in a meaningful way. They simultaneously hold potential to improve maintenance and servicing.

Mobile Solutions

We’ve already been using augmented reality for some time now in our Mobile Solutions to simplify and accelerate production tasks. It brings greater efficiency at the same time as more user friendliness or ease of interaction. Data from all sections of the automation pyramid is linked to useful information on a user’s mobile device. This information is then displayed on that device in direct and simple form with the help of AR. Features such as reliable identification of assets in the field using NFC, QR or OCR prevent faults with serious consequences.  And even people with no dedicated knowledge of the plant can find their way around the production shop very quickly, precisely and purposefully. This also offers tremendous potential for saving costs. Evidence is available that the time required for service assignments can be reduced to half.

[ot-caption title=”Service assignment with Mobile Solutions” url=”https://www.yokogawa.com/eu/blog/chemical-pharma/app/uploads/2016/10/Abb_3a.jpg”]

Is your application also a potential candidate for AR?

 

 

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