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AR For Business Ebook
AR For Business Ebook
FOR BUSINESS
How to get started and get value out of AR
deployments fast
Contents
Augmented reality (or AR for short) is the future of compu8ng. Like all
major paradigm shi=s in technology, such as those of the evolu8on of
the desktop computer or of the cell phone, that future always begins
with the early adop8on of an exci8ng new technology within the
business world. AR is on the same trajectory as those highly successful
technologies. In fact, AR is already being deployed by thought leaders in
a variety of industry ver8cals.
That collaborative network is powered by Atheer’s distinctive software, AiR Suite, which works
together with a growing number of enterprise-ready smartglasses, which are manufactured by Epson,
ODG, Intel/Recon, and Vuzix. In this piece, we aim to describe AR as well as to highlight the potential
for AR to make an immediate difference in the way you conduct business.
In the future, though, they are likely to merge as things like battery life improve in MR
technology. Both involve the real world overlaid with information. While AR functions as a floating, see-
through screen that can access information, allow for true collaboration, and more, AR does not
require the same. While AR functions as a floating, see-through screen that can access information,
allow for true collaboration, and more, AR does not require the same constant mapping and fixing of
the real world like MR necessitates.
No matter what solution is best for your company, though, our AiR Suite software works with
both AR and MR applications on both AR and MR head-mounted displays. We also provide ways to
choose the right hardware/software combination for your company’s needs no matter whether AR or
MR is right for you.
Why?
AR and MR are about being in and engaging with the real
world while using technology to add or to overlay information or
content. This information may be something that enriches an
experience, entertains you, or enhances your productivity. This
is the value proposition to your company for implementing
Atheer’s hardware and/or software. VR is not real-world based.
As such, we find that most enterprises are seeking more
tangible AR/MR solutions that allow them to overlay computer-
driven data onto real-world applications, described in more
detail below.
Equally important to
understanding the use cases
across the board was
understanding that whether we
are dealing with a highly paid
expert repairing an airplane, an
experienced Risk Management
Engineer assessing insurance
risk onsite, or a warehouse
supervisor overseeing quality
assurance, they all require
productivity, speed, and safety. As
well, often remote communication
or collaboration is essential to
their deliverables.
Perhaps the most compelling case for using our smartglasses today is for Fixing or repairing complex,
mission-critical machinery.
DigiCapital’s CEO Tim Merel is calling VR/AR/MR the Fourth Platform Wave, and we at Atheer
agree.
AR is the future of computing. Enterprise companies in Oil and Gas, in Insurance, in the Airline
Industry, in Warehousing, and beyond are utilizing our technologies to make immediate, cost-saving
differences in the way they do business.
Put yourself in the shoes of an airplane mechanic trying to fix an extraordinarily complex, often
customized, airplane. This is where smartglasses help a great deal with fixing things: the information
that the mechanic needs in order to repair the plane appears literally right in front of his eyes.
2 The mechanic can use collaboration software such as Atheer’s AiR Suite to
collaborate with an expert in another location. Through his smartglasses, the
mechanic can share what he sees with a remote expert. He then can interact
with the expert, viewing drawings on one of his virtual screens or receiving
specific guidance overlaid onto the area in need of repair. This is the
significant benefit that Augmented Reality delivers: taking something in the
real-world visual field and using computer-aided technology to overlay
information onto it.
Once you have some ideas about how Augmented Reality (AR) can help
your business (e.g., see AR Use Cases), you’ll quickly realize that you
have numerous permuta8ons of hardware and so=ware decisions when
geOng started. Following are some points to consider as you choose
which AR hardware and so=ware to purchase.
Another reason not to skimp is for the user interaction. Inexpensive glasses usually will have
something resembling a touchpad (e.g., a very tiny version on the side of the glasses) or mouse (e.g., a
ring on your finger). These interfaces are usually cumbersome at best, and unusable for many uses (like
drawing a circle around a broken valve).
A microphone is helpful for voice commands or remote collaboration as long as your use is in a quiet
environment. Some inexpensive glasses can recognize very crude hand gestures via their standard
camera. Instead, higher end glasses will have a depth sensor that can enable hand gestures (remember
the move “Minority Report”?).
Smartglasses are computers needing an operating system. By far, Android is the choice for
smartglass manufacturers, and there’s good reason for that. The compact size of wearables like
smartglasses must rely on the component miniaturization driven by smartphones.
The open mobile standard with the most apps is Android. You’ll want to make sure you get a device
that runs standard Android (not a proprietary forked version that may not run the apps you want). Keep in
mind that you’ll want a device that can provide a usable touchscreen compatible interface or your users
won’t be able to use the apps even if they run.
In business, you may want to consider things like battery life. For example, will the battery last long
enough for a typical work shift? Or peripheral vision — In some environments, it may be safer to have a
wider peripheral vision while wearing the device. Some devices block side vision. What ports does the
device have? You may want to connect headsets, video output, etc.
Extensibility Functionality
Finding software that not only meets
The good thing with software is that you
your current use case needs, but also likely
can do just about anything. The bad part about
future needs is an obvious consideration
software is that you can do just about
anything…if you custom code it which is
expensive (at least from TCO perspective). Integration
Thus, the best of both worlds, if you can find it,
is a product solution that can easily be At some point, you may want to
extended. Look for standard Restful interfaces integrate with backend systems, whether
and the ability to develop add-in functionality. pulling or pushing data (e.g., you may want
Not only does this allow you to customize as to validate barcodes with valid material part
needed without being at the mercy of the numbers). Be sure to ask about capabilities
software vendor, but you can potentially for integrating data in either direction.
Of course, this still means you need to For example, many of the use cases with
determine which SDKs will work on your device’s demonstrable ROI include providing intelligent,
platform, meet the needs of your immediate and contextual guidance to personnel out in the field
future use cases, and fit in with your organization’s dealing with complex machinery or situations. Others
application development standards. Fortunately, include capturing and documenting what the field
however, there are also a few “out-of-the-box” person sees and does. Others still often involve
software platforms that can address some common escalation to an expert with “see-what-I-see” video
enterprise AR use cases in: collaboration. Thus, these software platforms can
provide drag-and-drop creation of contextual taskflows
1. Field service and inspection that can guide a field worker. Others include capturing
2. Manufacturing and assembly and documenting what the field person sees and does.
3. Logistics and operations Others still often involve escalation to an expert with
4. Medical and healthcare “see-what-I-see” video collaboration. Thus, these
software platforms can provide drag-and-drop creation
of contextual taskflows that can guide a field worker.
Here are some considerations when comparing which
out-of-the-box” software to choose
The easiest way to try a solution is if they offer a SaaS offering. In this cloud era, that should be easy
to find. However, if you want access to data or integration to systems behind the firewall, you may want to
ensure the software vendor has an on-premises solution as well. Your business’ preference for OpEx or
CapEx may also be a factor in your deployment choice.
Unless you have unlimited 8me and money, you probably want to make
choices that will deliver value or test your AR use cases quickly. If you’re
part of an innova8on team discovering technology that might drive LOB
innova8on and have a healthy budget, you can probably purchase one
of each category of device:
But if you don’t have the budget to try For the common AR use cases like field
“one of each” to fully appreciate the difference, service, inspection, repair, manufacturing,
trying just the cheapest device will probably not logistics, assembly, and some medical
serve you well if you’re truly trying to discover healthcare, the ROI is virtually always clear
the possibilities of AR. It might be money well (e.g., reduced downtime or travel costs,
spent to ensure you buy a device or two high- improved productivity or outcomes, etc.).
end smartglasses that can demonstrate the Thus, next steps lead to larger pilots
revolutionary benefits of AR. before ultimate production deployments. Enough
To get value out of those glasses, look for large enterprises have experienced sufficient
a software (probably SaaS) off-the-shelf solution returns to invest heavily in AR. Augmented
that requires minimal customization to address Reality technology is evolving rapidly, so don’t
your target use case(s). Common examples get stuck in analysis paralysis. Above are some
include guided Taskflows and “see-what-I-see” considerations. Above all, though, it’s best to get
collaboration with experts. started.
Often, enterprises entering AR will start
with a proof of concept (POC) to test their use
case hypotheses and measure initial ROI.