The term Industry 4.0 arises from the combination of new information technologies and data analysis with advanced fabrication techniques and processes. The most representative features of this new era are smart connections and data.
We are currently living in the information era. According to Bernard Marr, Big Data specialist, more data has been created in the last three years than in the entire previous history of humanity. Just to get a little idea of the volume of data created, Google registers more than 60.000 queries every second.
However, this big quantity of data is not enough, what really makes it useful is the way it can improve decision-making. This is when smart connections become relevant, the information must be significant, and displayed at the right time in the right place. In this new information era, machines and people are always connected, enhancing industrial processes.
The fourth industrial revolution does not depend on one technology but several, the combination of these technologies is what can really improve the methods and efficiency of industries. So, what is the role Augmented Reality is playing?
AR technology brings users the chance to experience an augmented world by overlaying virtual information in the real world. This way the user can be in touch with both the real and virtual world and receive real-time data or statistics.
For industry 4.0, this can have several advantages. It can be the perfect way to represent relevant information for technicians and workers in the company, allowing them to watch real time information from the work they are performing. It is also suitable to provide technicians information about the problem a machine is going through, giving them the chance to view the user guide or even to contact an expert to receive real time assistance.
Another great advantage AR brings to Industry 4.0 is the possibility of enhancing industrial training and learning while reducing risks and costs, as we have already discussed here.
