Using augmented reality devices for remote support in manufacturing: A case study and analysis

Abstract

Industry 4.0 forces increased digitization, production flexibility, improvement of employee competences and integration of employees and IT systems within an enterprise. To this end, state-of-the-art systems and IT solutions, such as the Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), are implemented. New systems must be integrated with the existing IT architecture, and their implementation forces the enterprise to provide network access with sufficient bandwidth to fully benefit from the capabilities of new technologies. The paper discusses the practical application of modern AR solutions in the industry, with a special focus on remote support for maintenance operations and training of production employees. Two experiments aimed determining the impact of various environmental conditions on the possibility of using the AR Remote Support are described. Basing on those experiments it is possible to determine the environmental conditions required to use HoloLens 2 AR goggles in two dedicated remote support applications.