At first glance, the glove from ProGlove may look like a normal work glove, but a second glance reveals the smart garment: the glove is equipped with sensors that trigger a scanner on the back of the hand when the thumb is pressed. This allows barcodes to be scanned quickly and easily. Festo has been supporting the start-up ProGlove in its development for a year. The company is now using the intelligent glove in its own logistics department at the technology factory in Ostfildern-Scharnhausen.

The barcode scanner in the glove allows workers to document their work steps ergonomically and easily when loading and unloading the so-called tugger train. It provides direct feedback to the person: As a result, the employee knows whether the system has accounted for his work steps.

Whereas previously the material containers were gripped with one hand and scanned with the other using a hand-held device, the tugger train drivers can now use both hands to grip the boxes. This makes the work process more ergonomic. At the same time, the glove protects against injuries.

Scanning with the glove also takes significantly less time than with the additional scanning device. This increases overall effectiveness and productivity on the tugger train.

With the ProGlove, codes can be read both vertically and horizontally. A visual, acoustic and haptic signal provides the employee with feedback on their work step. This lets them know that the item has been scanned without having to constantly look at the display. This minimizes sources of error. The Plug&Play solution means that no changes need to be made to existing systems. Further areas of application for the glove are already planned.