Fancy AR Glasses! What can you do with it?

Interaction

When thinking of Augmented Reality glasses, many people think of Google Glass. That is not entirely correct, because a Google Glass was more of a head up display in combination with a camera, than a real Augmented Reality Device. With Google Glass, the image does not interact with the environment, but is only projected onto it.

At Social Brothers we see dynamic and interactive content as one of the minimum requirements for Augmented Reality to be successful. An example of this is the Hololens 2. The holograms projected with these AR glasses adapt based on your hand gestures, allowing interaction with the Augmented Reality.

The Hololens also sees what you are looking at and adjusts the holograms accordingly. This allows interaction with the environment. Where a Google Glass will only project the navigation data right in front of you, a Hololens can recognize the road and project an arrow onto it to steer you in the right direction. We believe that this interaction offers real added value for the end user.

View us here blog about different AR glasses and their possibilities.

hands free

A wearable differs from the AR function of smartphones, because you always need hands here. This is important in professions where you cannot hold a telephone in your hands, such as healthcare and the installation industry. After all, you expect your surgeon to use both hands.

Microsoft refers to this as first-line workers† For them, AR can make a big difference, with information and instructions always at hand. Previous technologies have never been able to do this, as they always require a screen. The first line worker must then switch between screen and 'manual work'. With AR, both can be in the field of view at the same time, which can make work much more efficient.

Applications for the AR glasses

For companies, many practical applications are possible with AR glasses. It is therefore not for nothing that the newer versions of the glasses such as the Google Glass and the Hololens 2 are aimed at the business market. Social Brothers provides a number of options to give an idea of ​​the many possibilities.

Data Visualization

During your work you may need a lot of different data. Think, for example, of a pilot who wants to know how high he is flying, how fast he is flying, but who also benefits from data about weather conditions. When using AR glasses, this information does not have to be projected via a screen or dashboard, but can appear directly in the pilot's field of view.

This saves switching and ensures that the pilot always has a direct view of both reality and the required data. Of course, this also offers opportunities for drivers, professional cyclists and so on.

Data visualization can also be used outside of transport, for example with mechanics who can use Augmented Reality data about oil levels or order pickers who easily know which parts still need to be collected. Data visualization, such as data about the patient during an operation, also has many advantages in the medical world.

Remote collaboration & assistance

Remote collaboration is already possible in many workplaces by exchanging images and audio (video calling). However, in some industries this is not enough, such as inspection, assembly or repair of products or installations.

In this case, a 3D image of the object to be inspected, mounted or repaired is helpful for remote assistance. Where this cannot be forwarded with traditional video meetings, it is possible with a meeting via AR glasses.

These applications of AR glasses make remote collaboration possible for industries in which, until recently, experts had to be present together and the product. For more information, read our blog on two practical applications of AR in the B2B sector.

Learning by doing with AR as a guide

What resembles this is using AR as a guide when performing practical tasks such as assembling a product. The (new) employee receives information about how a task should be performed via AR glasses. This can be expanded with images and videos.

The advantage of this is that an explanation is not given first, after which the employee has to carry it out, but that this can be done simultaneously. With step-by-step instructions in AR, one can master a task faster. This differs from remote collaboration and assistance in that it uses a pre-designed AR guide, rather than a remote expert.

Simulation training

By using AR to place things or people in the environment, such as fictitious colleagues, you can use Augmented Reality to practice with certain situations. How do you act if a fire breaks out? What do you do when you see that your colleague is welding, while oil is leaking not far from him? Can you see at a glance which colleagues are not wearing their safety helmet?

By practicing with this in Augmented Reality, you will also be able to respond better or faster in real life. You learn by doing in a context similar to the actual context.

Not only does this make what you learn better, it has also been proven to increase the confidence to act in real situations. Read more about simulation training in us blog about risk analysis through AR.

Product Visualization

The last example of an application of AR glasses is product visualization. For example, this may concern furniture and cars, but also houses or even entire residential areas. This visualization can be used in two ways. First of all with the design of the product.

By making a prototype in AR, money, material and time can be saved, while the design comes to life much more than with a 2D model. This offers opportunities in the design industry and architecture.

Secondly, the 3D models can be used in AR to make it clear to the customer what the end product will look like. What will the new-build home I buy look like? Or what will the new assembly line in my factory look like?

Want to know more?

Do you want to know more about Augmented Reality? Read us too complete handbook on AR or sign up for the newsletter to be kept informed of new developments.

Do you want to know which applications of AR glasses can mean something for your company? Then make an appointment.