When people think of technologies such as virtual reality and augmented reality, they often make the mistake of considering them primarily as entertainment or leisure tools. The truth, however, is that the role of virtual reality and augmented reality in Industry 4.0 is already significant and could turn into a real revolution in the future.
Augmented reality in industry 4.0: a success story announced
Within this phenomenon, a small paradox emerges: although augmented reality, as understood today, is a newer technology than virtual reality, which has existed in its modern form since the 1980s, it is generating more interest among companies, particularly in the maintenance sector.
Not surprisingly, giants such as Hilti¹ and Wurth² have already implemented projects in this area
Augmented reality, in fact, provides information contextualized to what the operator is observing, making it perfect for areas where there is a need to accelerate and improve human decision making.
Virtual reality for industry, an ally for training and simulation
Virtual reality, as the name suggests, is capable of providing a faithful replica of reality. While in entertainment the focus is mainly on graphical rendering, in manufacturing it offers the possibility of building extremely accurate replicas of plants, machinery and factories, based on advanced mathematical models and, in many cases, fed by real data thanks to the concept of digital twin.
This virtual environment opens up considerable opportunities, from training personnel through simulations to prototyping products, processes and procedures. For example, virtual reality makes it possible to visualize in advance what the warehouse or engine room might look like after a reorganization and to identify any critical issues not detected by algorithms and analysis.
This offers additional benefits, such as less need for physical presence and the ability to visualize data and information in entirely new ways, as highlighted by research by Deloitte³.
Augmented reality, the industrial applications
As we have mentioned, augmented reality in Industry 4.0 plays a decidedly important role today. But what are the areas where it can bring the best contribution? Here are some examples.
Simplified maintenance and repair thanks to AR
Augmented Reality can be, and there are already applications that demonstrate this, a transformative element in the field of maintenance, especially for special machinery or customized plants. Think, for example, of the figure of the visiting mechanic: a significant cost for many companies, as well as the challenge of always having properly competent professionals in the field.
With augmented reality, a trained operator can provide live information to field workers at any distance, showing them directly in their field of vision what to do and how to operate. This reduces logistics costs and enhances the professionalism of in-house personnel, making augmented reality-based solutions extremely valuable.
Asset lifecycle management
Even for the most efficient companies, lifecycle management of tools, machinery and plants is still critical. With augmented reality, data can be integrated into the context of the plant. Operators can, for example, immediately visualize which resources have been installed the longest, which are used the most and which are used the least. This immediate availability of data during routine inspections, audits, and checks provides a much clearer view of what needs to be done.
“Augmented” logistics is one of the keys to efficiency
The movement of raw materials, goods and products is a major efficiency concern for companies, not only in the warehouse context. We reflect, for example, on the time spent by operators in supply chains using mobile equipment in searching for them.
An augmented reality system can guide an operator, even a novice, to the current location of a vehicle or piece of equipment, or to the warehouse area or shelf where the material needed for the assembly or packaging of an order is located.
Virtual reality and augmented reality: sustainable efficiency
When VR and AR are considered in industry and supply chain management, one of the most relevant issues related to modern innovation emerges : creating tools and solutions that simplify and enhance the work of operators, not by opposing them but by supporting them and taking on the most tiring and frustrating tasks. This makes work not only more efficient, but also more rewarding and sustainable. In an environment where the ability of companies to retain their skilled workers has become a competitive factor, these tools can offer an important advantage.
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