Augmented reality (AR) projects digital content into real environments. The additional information can be used to facilitate and improve assembly and maintenance work, for example. However, AR is rarely used in small and medium-sized companies in particular. The main reasons for this are a lack of knowledge about the potential applications of the technology and a lack of expertise in mastering the technology. "The opportunities of AR are enormous. But how does a company find a suitable application? And how does it then implement the scenario in practice? Many companies are faced with unanswered questions here. In the EMERGE project (Systematics for the introduction of individual augmented reality solutions in industry), practical tools have therefore been developed to enable AR to be used with less effort," explains Daniel Eckertz, project manager at Fraunhofer IEM. The tools have already been put to use: Fraunhofer IEM developed AR prototypes with Claas and Westaflex. The research institute itself also prepared an AR solution for collaborative product validation.

3D visualization during combine harvester maintenance

Planned at Claas: combine harvester maintenance via 3D visualization on the smartphone.

© Fraunhofer IEM/Claas

The combine harvesters from agricultural machinery specialist Claas are large and technically complex machines. To make the extensive maintenance easier, the project team worked on an AR solution for interactive information visualization. The vision: service technicians use an AR app on their smartphone screen. This could provide them with step-by-step instructions for all maintenance activities via 3D visualizations on the machine - and navigate them to the right place on the vehicle. Advantages: Combine harvester maintenance is significantly accelerated. Costly downtimes are avoided. "In EMERGE, we have gained important experience regarding the use of AR in service and tested initial approaches. Building on this, we now need to utilize the results and prepare for the long-term use of AR," reports Leandra Lanz, project manager at Claas.

Component assembly: 2D graphics from the data glasses

In the production department of ventilation system manufacturer Westaflex, employees are constantly assembling varying components - and often have to spend a lot of time familiarizing themselves with new orders. To make this training more effective, the project team developed assembly instructions via AR: data glasses project 2D graphics with information and instructions for their work orders directly into the fitters' field of vision. The advantage is that there is no need for lengthy training, hands remain free - and assembly becomes more efficient overall. Dr. Olaf Knospe, Head of Research and Development at Westaflex, believes that the potential of AR has been fundamentally confirmed by employees in assembly. "However, it has become clear that AR glasses technology needs to be further developed in order to achieve full acceptance among users for the intended purpose under investigation. Accordingly, we will wait for the next generation of glasses before we start using them in practice," he concludes.

Helpful tools

As part of the project, the Fraunhofer IEM developed tools to help other companies use AR.

Firstly, there is the Augmented Reality Quick Check: the IEM developed profiles for a total of 16 application scenarios, including organizational and technical requirements. With a quick check based on these profiles, companies can specify their individual use case.

Secondly, the IEM developed a guideline for the introduction of AR: this guideline is intended to support managers in successfully managing the overall process. The development guide contains a toolbox for the Unity development environment and supports developers with modular AR function blocks, among other things.

The links to the AR application scenarios and the guide to AR introduction can be downloaded from the Fraunhofer IEM online press release