Smart manufacturing and remote collaboration have been in hot demand since the pandemic hit the manufacturing industry. Augmented reality (AR), for one, can be integrated into both remote and on-site operations and can help improve efficiency. However, site regulations and evaluations of benefit must not be overlooked. Manufacturers should go through trial phases before investing in advanced AR wearables, 5G private network, AR software, etc.
Manufacturing is more complicated in practice than other industries. Processing errors are very common when on-site staff fail to follow standard procedures. Another common problem in a multi-product manufacturing plant is the inefficency upon switching product lines, as different product lines require different procedures and materials. AR technology can help improve efficiency in production and reduce such errors by showing practice steps and requirtments on screen.
AR editor offers precise visaul recognition and complex content editing for environments like manufacturing plants, medical facilities, or transportation. There is also simpler AR editing software designed for purposes of education, entertainment, and tourism.
AR software runs better on wide bandwidth, low-latency Internet, so AR devices with built-in 5G mobile network can provide better user experience. 5G network slicing also helps improve private network's performance and increase its benefit-to-cost ratio.
AR and 5G private network can boost production efficiency; however, head-mounted wearables and private network are still too expensive to be widely used in manufacturing, which could impede the road to smart manufacturing.
