AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) & MIXED REALITY (MR)

The latest technologies for industrial applications.

HOW IS AUGMENTED REALITY (AR) APPLIED TO MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT?

Augmented Reality (AR) blurs the line between what’s real and what’s computer-generated by enhancing what we see, hear, and feel. AR models and AR annotations, which overlay virtual elements onto the real world, stand out as a popular use of this technology.

These virtual annotations enable machine and system experts to provide remote, step-by-step guidance to technicians, addressing technical problems with precision and safety. Whether through tablets, smartphones, or smart glasses, these tools make visual communication more interactive and effective.

HOW DO AUGMENTED REALITY (AR), ASSISTED REALITY (AR), VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) AND MIXED REALITY (MR) DIFFER?

Extended Reality (XR) is an umbrella term for all interactive technologies, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Assisted Reality (aR) and Mixed Reality (MR). The concepts differ fundamentally in the overlap between the real and virtual worlds, which are increasingly merging.

In Virtual Reality (VR), the user is immersed in a completely virtual environment. VR glasses are required to interact with this environment.

Assisted Reality (aR) is characterized by a minimal overlap of the real world with virtual content. The real environment remains fully perceptible. Typically, monocular smart glasses are used, the display of which is located near the left or right eye.

Mixed Reality (MR) combines the technology concepts of AR and VR. The fusion of both allows the user intuitive 3D interaction between the real and virtual worlds. Mixed reality can be realized with smart glasses such as the Microsoft HoloLens 2.

In Virtual Reality (VR), the user is immersed in a completely virtual environment. VR glasses are required to interact with this environment.

HOW CAN MECHANICAL AND PLANT ENGINEERING AND THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY BENEFIT?

Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) are versatile technologies for professional visual assistance solutions. The technologies offer numerous application possibilities in human-machine interaction to improve processes and procedures, reduce costs, share knowledge, and support frontline workers in solving technical challenges.

PRIVACY THROUGH INNOVATIVE AR FEATURES

To ensure privacy for operators and IP protection while working on the shop floor, oculavis uses features like AR face anonymization or virtual walls to limit what experts can see in a video call.

THE OCULAVIS
MIXED REALITY APP

Mixed Reality smart glasses, such as the Microsoft HoloLens 2 or Magic Leap 2, offer the option of capturing the physical environment in 3D and placing AR annotations or 3D objects in a fixed position in that area.

In the visual assistance module of the oculavis smart service platform, special privacy features are activated in Mixed Reality, such as the display of virtual walls to make areas unrecognizable in a visual support session.

LIVE INTERACTIONS IN AR VIDEO CALLS

It takes more than a video call with Teams, WhatsApp, or FaceTime to guide colleagues, technicians, or machine operators remotely: the highest video quality, even with a weak internet connection, and Augmented Reality annotations for collaboration with experts make the difference. Other benefits include the wide range of documentation options and the ability to implement end-to-end remote service processes.

ASSISTED REALITY
WITH SMART GLASSES

Smart glasses can be used to display instructions in employees’ field of view. This allows users to keep both hands free for tasks while easily accessing instructions through a quick glance at their smart glasses display

If support from a remote expert is required, a colleague can connect directly via visual assistance and adopt a first-person perspective using smart glasses.