PTC and other providers of augmented reality (AR) solutions for businesses are hoping that the technology will gain a lot of traction; however, are businesses following suit?

The use of augmented reality in business and industry was in the spotlight at this year's PTC "digital transformation" LiveWorx show, which took place in Boston, United States, from June 10 to 13.

How does AR work?
PTC presents the technology as a means of connecting the digital and physical worlds. An object like a machine used in a manufacturing environment or a complicated subsystem used in a complex field environment like an oil rig can be digitally replicated using augmented reality.
It basically produces either a digital twin in two dimensions that accurately represents all of the machine's components and is easy to distinguish, or a 3D model that can be viewed with a HoloLens or other smart glasses technology (using PTC's app Creo).

Automotive Fuel Tanks Market can be added to the model, and colors or special effects can be used to identify sections. As an aid to operations, the augmented reality model can offer simulations of things like filling a fuel tank or closing a valve, as well as seeing both the inside and outside of a machine or component.

PTC purchased augmented reality software provider Vuforia in 2015, promising that the acquisition would enable developers to develop branded solutions and assist the company in producing content using 3D overlays.

How does AR work?
The primary use of augmented reality is to assist factory workers in assembling, utilizing, and repairing equipment. For instance, by enabling sales and marketing personnel to show customers products and their advanced features remotely while on a sales call and by remotely assisting a technician who is servicing equipment in the field (which can save money on costly service calls and training classes).

At LiveWorx 2019, a panel of business leaders discussed how augmented reality has improved their businesses' performance:
• Global Foundries, a major manufacturer of semiconductors, noticed an increase in manufacturing speed, which led to increased productivity, hands-free operations, and enhanced training with 3D immersive experiences.

• Howden, a provider of industrial equipment like heaters, fans, and compressors, used augmented reality (AR) to empower services engineers in their factories, transform the customer experience, and save money on travel by providing remote assistance and training.

• Fujitsu used augmented reality (AR) to provide on-site customer support for devices the company sells to retailers, such as check-out pin pads, that frequently required repair. By allowing retail customers to quickly repair the devices themselves, AR enabled the company to avoid service calls.

• Agrekko, a provider of temporary power solutions for Olympic stadiums, the Super Bowl, and developing nations without permanent power, utilized augmented reality (AR) to offload lower-level training to AR simulations in order to save money on classroom training, which is now mostly used for more complex training requirements.

What are its constraints?
Despite the fact that AR is laid out in the realm of customer gaming through HoloLens and other savvy glasses and caps, it is simply now beginning to make progress in the business climate and a few deterrents hold up traffic of its future achievement.

Devices that cost a lot: the Microsoft HoloLens isn't just said to be hard to find because it's not widely available, but it also costs upwards of $3,500 per device. Even though augmented reality (AR) can be used on a tablet or smart phone, the experience isn't as compelling and doesn't work hands-free, so using it as a virtual training manual to help workers service equipment in the field is a little awkward. However, Google is repositioning Google Glass as a business device and is going to sell it for $999.

One-on-one training is still valued by many businesses, regardless of whether it is delivered live, via live streaming, or through a training video.

Not a stand-alone solution; many businesses use augmented reality in conjunction with 3D modeling for product design, Internet of Things (IoT) for connected products, and machine learning or other AI for data analytics and process efficiency. These technologies work together to support a business through the stages of genuine digital transformation. However, the majority of businesses, including manufacturers, are only just beginning this journey. It might be harder to sell augmented reality as a separate technology.
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Providers of the technology, such as PTC, Google, and Microsoft, as well as providers of gaming devices and content, remain enthusiastic about the opportunities presented by augmented reality (AR).

In addition, proponents of the idea of Extended Reality (XR), which combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR)—"using VR to experience the environment and AR to change how it looks"—are discovering brand-new or expanded applications in both business and consumer settings.