A person in need will find a way. As it turns out sometimes even the most advanced solutions need a “lightweight” version. We can safely assume this is the case of Assisted Reality, which delivers 2D content (images, text or videos) to users instead of immersive 3D graphics. This simpler solution, however, is exactly what countless companies asked for.
A new type of “smartglasses”, such as RealWear’s HMT-1, are needed in order to receive additional information on top of the surrounding environment. The parenthesis there was used on purpose, because they are not exactly “glasses” but rather a tablet mounted on a users’s head using a headband (thus the name: HMT – Head Mounted Tablet). It is important to note that the headband itself is an integral element of the hardware, as it encloses all electronics within it.
The device itself is worth attention and spending a few moments with it. Obviously the display used in it is very small and thus useless for displaying 3D graphics, which was what we were used to in case of augmented reality. As it turns out though, 3D models are not that important to many companies or their employees. Quite often the lack of 3D perspective in organizations is much more comfortable than actually having it. The whole concept of the device and the way to present information to the user is completely different than the one shown by, for example, applications for Microsoft’s Hololens, which allow us to add high-quality content to the actual environment surrounding us. Surprisingly, HMT’s small screen can be efficiently used to present the most important information about a machine he is working on in interesting and brief form, including elements such as:
If you thought the part about PDF files is a joke, please allow us to get you out of the dark, although initially we too assumed it was a hilarious idea. How such a small screen can display a page of text or a drawing in a PDF file? Well, it turns out it can! The device ships with a built-in document/image viewer, which allows us to magnify a given page or image. It utilizes head motion tracking for the purpose of navigating the zoomed-in screen. It is also possible to lock the current view, allowing the user to take a closer look at a given fragment.
It is worth to mention one of the most important features here: The device is completely voice-controlled. There are a few pre-defined system commands, but the way of interacting with the device could be phrased like this: “You can say aloud anything you see on the screen and it will be clicked.” And it actually WORKS!
Key facts about the device also include 8-12 hours of battery life, dust- and waterproof certification, capability to withstand being dropped from approximately 1m height. There is also an ATEX-certified version for hazardous areas.
But this was supposed to be all about Assisted Reality…
For our partner, PTC, we created a PoC of a solution which utilizes HMT-1 as dedicated hardware and ThingWorx Studio as software responsible for creating content. The project was first showcased during PTC Sales Kick-off 2017 at the Bahamas.
The external monitor is showing a stream from the HMT-1’s screen.
PTC has first officially published the beta version of Assisted Reality in march 2018. A new, dedicated project type has been added to ThingWorx Studio – EyeWear 2D. Although its palette of functionalities (widgets) is somewhat limited at the moment, especially in comparison to other mobile devices, it allows us to create our new application (“experience) in a codeless manner – through “clicking” only. Within minutes users can run the “experience” using the ThingWorx View app installed on HMT-1.
There are a couple of things to consider:
The concept of Assisted Reality itself is a step back compared to Augmented Reality. However, this step back brings huge possibilities of supporting humans in performing their daily activities. Many organizations were waiting for this step back.
Augmented Reality has helped the manufacturing industry in numerous ways. One of the significant benefits is that it allows workers to visualize and interact with digital models of products and processes in real time. This helps in identifying errors and potential issues in the production process, which can be corrected before they lead to wastage of resources.
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Modern technologies are starting to affect literally every industry. Even though most activities related to Augmented Reality (AR) are in their infancy when it comes to industry, we know from our own experience that the first implementations are the most important ones. These very implementations make a lot more people aware of the benefits of using AR. This applies to the logistics industry as well, even though it might seem to be much less industrial. In practice, just like other industries, it focuses on quality and efficiency.
Modern technology is constantly changing, with newer and newer products, which develop services and the effectiveness of specialists' work coming out constantly. Since recently we have had the opportunity to work with the new AR headset – Magic Leap. These advanced glasses, presented in 2018, allow users to utilise AR technology in a completely new way, thus becoming a strong competitor to other AR glasses.
Are you wondering how to enhance most of the processes in your company? How to eliminate production downtime, reduce the distance between your company and the professional you urgently need? How to lower the current costs? Together with RealWear HMT-1 we are coming to the rescue!
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