Abstract
The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) promotes the use of augmented reality (AR) in industrial settings, offering transformative opportunities. This study explores AR's potential in efficiency, safety, and crisis management. AR excels in training, providing virtual simulations for complex processes, accelerating skill development in a safe environment. It enhances maintenance with real-time guidance, reducing downtime. Quality control benefits from AR, as inspectors identify defects more precisely, improving product quality. AR plays a crucial role in safety by offering real-time alerts to prevent accidents. Its integration is promising in the 4IR, but effective crisis management strategies are essential. Organizations should prioritize safety, security, and communication when adopting AR in industrial environments.
TopIntroduction
The ongoing technological revolution extends across various fields, including the industrial sector, firmly in the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR). This revolution drives transformations that nurture the Man-Machine relationship with profound societal, economic, technological, informational, and environmental changes (Coelho, 2016). A notable innovation within this context is Augmented Reality (AR), which modifies our interactive reality by superimposing virtual elements on the physical world, providing diverse user experiences (Mesquita; Moreira, 2018). Gaspari et al. (2013) highlight that AR empowers professionals in operations to handle complex equipment by following augmented instructions. This underscores AR's significance in industrial maintenance, allowing professionals to engage in a broader range of tasks. Amidst the 4th Industrial Revolution, technological advancements demanded machine evolution to facilitate industrial progress. AR bridges the human-machine gap, aiding quicker fault resolution, offering technical support to non-expert users, and addressing complex issues, increasing the need for technicians. Orives (2019) underscores primary industry challenges: high technical visit costs and lengthy local professional training. AR can mitigate these issues by providing technical information, schematics, and safety documentation, projecting the AR environment, and offering risk assessments. In this context, Orives (2019) emphasizes the need for integrated programs to streamline equipment maintenance. This study explores AR's role in industrial support through a literature review, highlighting its advantages. It also delves into AR's potential to enhance workplace safety, human-machine interactions, and organisational employee training. Augmented reality-based systems can monitor and evaluate a range of tasks in an industrial context, from selecting a component from a warehouse stock to sending maintenance procedures to field technicians via mobile devices. This tool becomes indispensable for executing specific tasks, aiding the performer with speed and precision. Furthermore, it enables precise mapping of a given production process. This includes sending technical diagrams of machinery, components, equipment, or processes. Simulations to pinpoint the location of malfunctioning equipment, required spare parts, maintenance procedures, safety measures, and actions are all made possible, simplifying the technician's job. Augmented reality allows the implementation of human-machine interfaces (HMIs) capable of linking information technology assets to operators with instant feedback on equipment status. This physical-digital communication between operator and machine is indispensable for acclimating technicians to the demands and requirements of Industry 4.0. While augmented reality technologies are already in use in numerous companies and prove to be valuable assets, they are still in development. However, they will be of great utility in the new industrial landscape, as the reliability and accuracy of information linked to the operator or responsible technician will result in improved efficiency in their functions, a performance that directly reflects on company results.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Technology: Technology encompasses the application of scientific knowledge, tools, techniques, and systems to solve problems, accomplish tasks, or achieve specific objectives. It comprises a wide range of tangible and intangible resources, including machinery, devices, software, processes, and methodologies, which enable the creation, manipulation, and transmission of information or the transformation of materials. Technology plays a fundamental role in facilitating human activities, improving efficiency, expanding capabilities, and driving progress across various domains, such as communication, transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and entertainment. Embracing and innovating with technology are essential for addressing contemporary challenges, advancing society, and shaping the future.
Augmented Reality: Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that superimposes digital information or virtual objects onto the real-world environment, enhancing the user's perception and interaction with their surroundings. Unlike virtual reality, which creates entirely immersive simulated environments, AR overlays digital elements onto the existing physical world in real-time. This integration of digital content with the real world enables users to experience a blended environment where computer-generated imagery, text, or animations coexist with tangible objects and spaces. Augmented reality applications can range from entertainment and gaming to education, healthcare, architecture, and beyond, offering innovative ways to engage with information and interact with the environment.
Fourth Industrial Revolution: The 4th Industrial Revolution refers to the ongoing transformative phase in the evolution of industry and society, characterised by the convergence of digital technologies, automation, and data-driven innovation. Building upon the advancements of the previous industrial revolutions, the 4th Industrial Revolution is distinguished by the pervasive integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and advanced analytics. These technologies enable interconnected systems, smart machines, and digital platforms to revolutionise production processes, business models, and societal interactions. The 4th Industrial Revolution is marked by the digitisation and automation of manufacturing, the emergence of cyber-physical systems, and the proliferation of data-driven insights and decision-making. It has profound implications for industries, economies, and individuals, offering opportunities for increased efficiency, productivity, and innovation, as well as posing challenges related to employment, skills, and socio-economic disparities.
Potentials: Potentials refer to the inherent capabilities or possibilities that an entity possesses, often yet to be fully realised or harnessed. These can include latent abilities, opportunities for growth, or untapped resources within a system or individual. Potentials represent the range of outcomes or achievements that can be achieved under certain conditions or through specific actions. Identifying and leveraging potentials is essential for maximising performance, achieving goals, and fostering development in various contexts, whether personal, professional, or organisational.
Simplification: Simplification refers to the process of making something easier to understand, use, or deal with by reducing complexity, eliminating unnecessary details, or streamlining procedures. It involves breaking down complex concepts, systems, or tasks into more manageable and straightforward components. Simplification aims to enhance clarity, accessibility, and efficiency, making it easier for individuals to grasp information, navigate processes, or accomplish objectives with minimal effort or confusion. This can involve removing jargon, reducing the number of steps or options, or presenting information in a more intuitive and user-friendly format. Simplification is often employed in various contexts, including communication, design, education, and problem-solving, to facilitate comprehension and improve user experience.
Improvement: Improvement refers to the process of making something better or more effective than its previous state. It involves identifying areas or aspects that can be enhanced, implementing changes or modifications, and measuring progress towards desired outcomes. Improvement can occur in various contexts, including personal development, professional growth, organisational performance, product quality, and service delivery. It may entail refining processes, upgrading technologies, acquiring new skills, adopting best practices, or innovating solutions to address deficiencies or meet evolving needs. Continuous improvement, often associated with methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma, emphasises ongoing efforts to incrementally enhance efficiency, productivity, and effectiveness over time. The pursuit of improvement is essential for driving progress, achieving excellence, and adapting to changing circumstances or expectations.
Crisis Management: Crisis management refers to the structured process of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from unexpected events or critical situations that have the potential to disrupt normal operations, pose significant risks, or cause harm to individuals, organisations, or communities. It involves proactive measures to identify potential crises, establish protocols and procedures for effective response, and mitigate adverse impacts on stakeholders and assets. Crisis management encompasses strategic planning, communication strategies, resource allocation, decision-making frameworks, and coordination of efforts across relevant stakeholders to ensure a timely and coordinated response to emergencies or crises. The goal of crisis management is to minimise the negative consequences of crises, restore stability, and facilitate the restoration of normalcy as swiftly and effectively as possible.