AR in Industry
AR simplifies data access by making it visual, which accelerates problem-solving and process optimization. It also reduces training costs.
In a Boeing study, AR training reduced the time needed to train new workers for a complex aircraft assembly process by 35%.
AR allows field engineers to view equipment performance and other information in context when repairing products, producing a 11% reduction in repair-related costs and higher repair quality.
Increased Productivity
In manufacturing, AR offers a wide range of benefits, including reduced time for training and on-the-job assistance. For example, an employee may be able to access digital instructions and holograms right on the shop floor without requiring additional equipment. This allows for more natural, hands-free instruction and reduces errors as compared to traditional paper-based documentation.
Industrial AR can also help improve maintenance times and accuracy for employees. In addition to providing instantaneous access to key data, it can identify hardware issues on the spot and allow them to see service histories, potential future breakpoints, and more. This helps workers diagnose and resolve problems quickly, eliminating the need for additional tools or a visit from a specialist.
Streamlined global team collaboration is another key benefit of AR, as it eliminates the need for physical product prototypes and ensures that everyone has a shared understanding of projects and processes. AR can also assist with quality assurance tasks by overlaying digital information over real-world objects, allowing for more precise measurements and faster inspections.
AR has also helped to make it easier for employees to perform customer service, with tools such as AR-based visualisations of products and components enabling customers to experience their purchase before they buy it. This can help to cut down on return rates and other customer frustrations, as well as improving the overall quality of service.
Enhanced Customer Service
Customer support and service are key to building brand loyalty. AR can be used to improve customers’ ability to use products, thereby reducing their need to contact a customer support agent. This technology can also help companies reduce the time their employees spend on phone calls and on in-person visits with customers.
For example, Hyundai has created a digital owner’s manual ar in industry that uses AR to show customers how to use and maintain their cars. It can even connect them with remote technical experts when they have trouble. This has reduced the need for in-person assistance by 20%, while increasing first call resolution and reducing staffing costs.
Other industries are using AR for similar purposes. Newport News Shipbuilding, for instance, uses AR to superimpose the final design of a ship over the actual vessel, which saves the company significant time and effort. GE uses AR to guide technicians through complex processes, such as the assembly of wind turbines. Meanwhile, Xerox is using AR to connect field engineers with remote technical experts to speed up repairs and improve the efficiency of their teams.
Whether by becoming part of products themselves, providing remote support and training to customers or workers, or improving performance in value chain functions such as product development, manufacturing and marketing, AR has the potential to unlock massive new efficiencies for businesses. In order to take advantage of these opportunities, companies must carefully weigh their options.
Improved Data Access
In addition to improving customer experience, AR has made it easier for employees to access information and complete tasks. The technology allows workers to access step-by-step instructions and connect with remote technical support without leaving their workspace. This has increased productivity and efficiency and reduced the time required to finish a task.
AR is also helping to improve the way information is transferred between companies. It is being used in manufacturing to help with quality assurance and repair. This is especially helpful when working on complex equipment. For example, Siemens’ AssistAR app guides technicians through a maintenance process by showing them where to place their hands and highlighting elements like screws and faceplates, which can be hard to identify when looking at a screen.
To make these applications, software must be developed to translate CAD models into the format needed for AR visuals. This requires specialized software that can handle 3D data and provide high-resolution images with clear depth cues. Creating this software can be a time-consuming process, but the results are well worth it. Aveva’s Richmond says that AR applications have improved productivity by making it faster to find the right part and reduce downtime.
AR is also being used to train new employees. It is a great way to teach them how to operate heavy machinery and ensure they know what to do when something goes wrong. It can also be used to train existing employees in a safe environment and speed up the training process.
Enhanced Marketing
AR technology has the potential to offer a range of innovative marketing solutions. Its ability to overlay contextual information on a real-world view allows customers to see how a product works before they purchase it, allowing them to save time and money and avoid expensive mistakes. For example, a virtual model of a machine can be displayed for comparison with the existing equipment, and change requests can be communicated directly. In addition, AR can enhance sales presentations by enabling a remote customer to participate in a demonstration or collaborate on a design with the company’s engineer from home.
AR also allows businesses to improve customer service and increase conversions. For instance, Kohl’s has used augmented reality to allow shoppers to ar in industry try on products in their homes without the need for an in-person fitting room. Other retailers, such as Ikea, have developed an app that allows consumers to visualize how furniture will look in their home before purchasing. In addition, beauty companies such as Sephora and L’Oreal have used AR to enable customers to try out products in a way that simulates how they would appear on the skin.
In addition to improving sales, AR can improve brand perceptions by demonstrating that a business is at the forefront of technological innovation. It also helps build trust by promoting transparency and enabling customers to easily verify the authenticity of a product or service.