Augmented Reality Experiences for the Operator 4.0

Abstract

Virtual manufacturing has resurfaced and become the time of the hour - when entire production industries had to halt due to an unprecedented pandemic. This situation raises questions such as - Is a complete "virtual manufacturing" process even possible? How can an Operator stay well- and super-informed in such environments and make timely decisions? How can he collaborate effectively in virtual reality? Mixed Reality offers the opportunity to provide real-time information in an inobtrusive way, promising travel and cost-savings. An Operator wearing a set of smart glasses or holding a tablet receives individualized and real-time information about production order and status. His augmented experience motivates him to absorb information, and reduces his need to be physically present. Real-time sensor data make his information accurate. Digital twins enrich his visual experience, rendering him/her with a deeper understanding of the production processes. Maintenance instructions on augmented reality (AR) make his life easy, while performing expensive repair procedures. Collaborative tools in virtual reality enrich his possibilities to teleport and work with other co-creators. With practical demonstrations and use cases, we present proof-of-concepts of systems conceived for the Operator 4.0, with demonstrations and evaluations.