November 5, 2015-Sheffield, UK– The University Of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is demonstrating its leadership role in UK manufacturing by joining the Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA). AMRC is the first UK research organisation to join the AREA.

AREA is the only global, member-driven organisation focusing on accelerating augmented reality (AR) adoption in enterprise. The AREA’s mission is to help organisations achieve greater operational efficiencies through the smooth introduction and widespread adoption of interoperable AR-enabled enterprise systems. Its members collaborate to further this vision and mission.

By building on its current research into the impact and value AR within the manufacturing the Integrated Manufacturing Group (IMG) at the AMRC is well placed to advance the AREA’s goals.

Chris Freeman, head of digital assisted assembly at IMG, said: “Joining the AREA will allow us to conduct core research projects with the AREA members, assisting them in creating tailored industrial applications and guiding industry in successfully adopting this advanced technology, all whilst evidencing measurable returns on investment.”

AR will play a pivotal role in IMG’s new home, the AMRC’s new Factory 2050. Factory 2050 is the world’s first fully-reconfigurable factory for advanced manufacturing methods and mechanisms and will allow IMG to showcase the developments and real value of AR to their network of industrial partners.

“Delivery of the right information, to the relevant end user, at the right time, is central to the AMRC’s AR strategy,” said Chris Freeman.

“At Factory 2050 we will be developing innovative ways to visualise the vast array of ‘big data’ available to manufacturing organisations,” he added. “Through the combination of wearable technology and analytics, Factory 2050 will help us demonstrate how digital information will be intelligently accessible and improve overall performance as part of a digital shop floor.”

“The world of AR is developing rapidly. By connecting with the AREA members such as Boeing, APX Labs, Bosch and DAQRI among others, we will leverage their experience and diverse talents, enabling us to be better informed and keeping the AMRC at the forefront of the technology,” said Chris.

“The maturity of AR-enabling technologies and systems is reaching the point where its use in manufacturing is very compelling.  The AR for Enterprise Alliance is very proud to welcome the AMRC as a member – our first dedicated to maturing AR for manufacturing environments,” said Christine Perey, AREA Executive Director.

“Having a member dedicated to maturing these advanced technologies is important to the achievement of our organisation’s strategic goals to drive continuous improvements and increase the impact of AR in industry.”

Members of AREA meet at the University of Sheffield’s AMRC Knowledge Transfer Centre during an AREA members meeting. (l-r) David Doral, AERTEC Solutions, Jay Kim, APX Labs, Matt Kammerait, DAQRI, Mark Lawrence, Newport News Shipbuilding, Chris Freeman, Head of Digitally Assisted Assembly at the AMRC, Bob Meads, iQagent, Christine Perey,  AREA Executive Director and PEREY Research & Consulting, Nathan Greiner, Design Mill, Sri Chandra, IEEE Standards Association, Jim Novack, Talent Swarm (kneeling), Pete Wassell, Augmate and Paul Davies, The Boeing Company

• More information about the AREA is available at http://www.theAREA.org or contact Christine Perey at [email protected]
• More information about IMG can be found here: http://www.amrc.co.uk/research/assembly-img/ or contact Chris Freeman at [email protected]

During the October 6 and 7, 2015 meeting of the grassroots community of people seeking to advance open and interoperable AR content and experiences, AREA Executive Director Christine Perey, presented the preliminary Enterprise AR Tool and Technology Provider Landscape Model.

The model segments technologies that are necessary for enterprise AR production and management. Technologies in the landscape leverage the underlying mobile and wearable hardware and software.

Segments identified and discussed include:

• Augmented Reality Delivery and Presentation System Providers
• AR Experience Authoring and Publishing Software Providers
• User Experience and Interface Technologies
• Recognition and Tracking Technologies
• AR-specific Hardware: capture, acceleration, optics

The Common Information Model (CIM) for utilities is a common vocabulary and basic ontology for managing data about electric power industry assets. It is widely used to describe electricity transmission systems, where related applications include energy management system, SCADA, planning and optimization. This video published by EPRI, an AREA sponsor member, shows how utilities employees can use Augmented Reality to increase safety and reduce errors.

Using Augmented Reality to visualize and interact with data defined by the Common Information Model, EPRI’s PM Basis Database (PMBD) and Fleet-Wide Prognostic and Health Management Suite (FW-PHM) can improve transmission and distribution providers optimize their operations and maintenance.

The hardware used in the video is the Smart Helmet, an industrial grade display embedded in a professional hardhat, designed by DAQRI, also an AREA sponsor member.

In July we partnered with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the IEEE Standards Association, Sponsor members of the AREA, to conduct the first AR in Leading Edge Utilities event in Charlotte, North Carolina.

A post on the IEEE Standards Association blog summarizes the results of the two-day event. “Safety issues were the dominant theme, consistent with the high priority on safety emphasized by utilities,” reports Rudi Schubert, new technology initiatives director and the author of this post. The utilities industry representatives said they want Augmented Reality solutions to be demonstrated as enhancing worker safety, not introducing distractions that can lead to unsafe situations.

Hardware communications and security were also key issues influencing utility purchasing decisions. A need for compatibility with existing infrastructure and an ability to use existing digital asset information will be drivers in assuring that AR solutions provide an acceptable return on investment.

Many companies are beginning to group wearable technologies into their mobility initiatives. While this can help leverage common assets and introduce the wearable technology into accepted processes, it may prevent users from accessing the unique benefits of wearable technologies. Smartglasses or personal head-mounted displays are special because they allow employees to “connect to the information generated in an IoT environment while remaining hands-on in the manufacturing process,” Brian Ballard points out in this feature story on the New Equipment Digest web site.

Ballard also promotes in his article the fact that most smartglasses are not only head-mounted displays. By using new user interfaces the worker actually has the opportunity to document deviations or new processes and becomes a digital contributor in the factory’s IoT network.

This article also provides valuable recommendations for the evaluation of use cases and the slow and measured introduction of Augmented Reality in manufacturing. While focusing on automotive and aerospace industries, where Augmented Reality-assisted systems have already gained some attention, the same recommends could be applied to other industries as well.

AREA Member APX Labs CEO Brain Ballard offers his company’s insights into the trends surrounding Google’s smartglasses in the workplace in this post in the MIT Technology Review blog. While APX Labs offers software and solutions that accompany the devices provided by Vuzix and Epson as well, Ballard says that Google Glass are in highest demand. Companies order units of 50 or more at a time.

The recent increase in interest, says Ballard, is in part the result of customers being better informed. Customers who have experimented with Google Glass in 2014 understand the limitations and advantages of their use in factories or other settings where workers need both hands to perform a task.

In general, there are more uses for products like Google Glass in the workplace than in the home or daily lives of consumers.

Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to host Augmented Reality in Leading-Edge Utilities Event

AREA teams with EPRI and IEEE Standards Association to identify opportunities for Augmented Reality in the utilities industry 

WAKEFIELD, Mass., USA – July 6, 2015 –The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA), the only global member-based organization focusing on accelerating Augmented Reality (AR) adoption in enterprise, announced today that the organization is teaming with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and IEEE Standards Association to host the AR in Leading-Edge Utilities (ARLU) event.

Taking place on July 27 and 28, 2015 at the EPRI facility in Charlotte, N.C., ARLU will provide delegates with insights into the opportunities for reduced risk and improved performance through the introduction of AR-assisted workflows in the utilities industry.

Focused exclusively on addressing the unique requirements of the utilities industry, ARLU is targeted at IT professionals working in utilities, vendors serving the utilities industry, and providers of AR components, systems and services. Presentations, workshop sessions, and demonstrations provided by participating organizations will highlight best practices and practical approaches for integrating AR-enhanced information visualization components to complement processes and workflows.

“Representatives from EPRI, Atheer Labs, Augmate, DAQRI, Design Mill, IEEE and NGRAIN will share lessons learned through the practical application of these technologies to help deepen delegates’ understanding of mission-critical workflows that can benefit most from the introduction of AR-assisted systems,” says Christine Perey, AREA Executive Director.

“EPRI is bringing together experts to ferret out the obstacles facing the industry and to identify the best approaches to take advantage of this technology,” says John Simmins, EPRI Technical Executive and AREA board member. “This meeting will give attendees a better understanding of the technology gaps that exist within the industry and the utilities customer requirements.”

Additional event details can be found on the ARLU web page, while invitations can be requested by sending an email to Laura Abbott.

About the AREA

The Augmented Reality for Enterprise Alliance (AREA) is the only global member-based organization focusing on accelerating AR adoption through creating and expanding a vibrant technology ecosystem. The AREA’s mission is to help organizations achieve greater operational efficiencies through smooth introduction and widespread adoption of interoperable AR-enabled enterprise systems. Its members collaborate to deliver content and programs that further these goals. Sponsor members of the AREA are thought leaders 1066 Labs, AERTEC Solutions, APX Labs, Atheer Labs, Augmate, The Boeing Company, Bosch, CN2 Technology, DAQRI, Design Mill, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), IEEE Standards Association, NGRAIN, iQagent, Johnson and Johnson, Newport News Shipbuilding, Perey Research & Consulting, and Talent Swarm. More information about the AREA is available at https://thearea.org.

About EPRI

The Electric Power Research Institute, Inc. (EPRI,) conducts research and development relating to the generation, delivery and use of electricity for the benefit of the public. An independent, nonprofit organization, EPRI brings together its scientists and engineers as well as experts from academia and industry to help address challenges in electricity, including reliability, efficiency, affordability, health, safety and the environment. EPRI’s members represent approximately 90 percent of the electricity generated and delivered in the United States, and international participation extends to more than 30 countries. For more information visit http://www.epri.com.

About the IEEE Standards Association

The IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA), a globally recognized standards-setting body within IEEE, develops consensus standards through an open process that engages industry and brings together a broad stakeholder community. IEEE standards set specifications and best practices based on current scientific and technological knowledge. The IEEE-SA has a portfolio of over 1,100 active standards and more than 500 standards under development. For more information visit http://standards.ieee.org/.  

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Direct media inquiries to:

Christine Perey, Executive Director, AR for Enterprise Alliance

[email protected]

On the opening day of Augmented World Expo, the AREA members and invited speakers presented seven sessions about Augmented Reality in enterprise and industrial environments, the “AWARE sessions.” IoT Journal writer, Mary Catherine O’Connor, covered the show and wrote a review of what she took away from attending AWE.

O’Connor was impressed by the potential for Augmented Reality to reduce workplace errors and improve operational efficiency, as described by Paul Davies of Boeing, but she also recognizes that the impact will not be achieved without addressing some difficult challenges such as wireless connectivity for AR-assisted devices and policies, such as those described by AREA member Bob Meads, that prevent the use of cameras in manufacturing shop floors.

One of the signs of technology maturing is the number of patents granted in the field. This article published on the Patent Vue web site, shares the results of an in depth study of the patents that could impact smart glasses manufacturers and providers of related Augmented Reality technology in coming years. The analysis reveals that Microvision Inc. is the largest US patent holder in this space, owning 233 US patents primarily related to hardware components for Augmented Reality systems, with a focus on miniaturized MEMS and PICO level systems.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co. follows with over 200 US patents. The majority of its patents are directed towards semiconductor-level technologies for displays and imaging substrates.

Google is the next largest patent holder the study identifies, with 117 US patents covering various physical hardware devices and related components, and software related to image-based user interfaces, user input technologies, and other user-experience applications. Canon, LG Electronics, Sony, Microsoft, IBM, Siemens, and Samsung are the next significant patent owners in this space.

In this press release issued by Atheer Labs, CEO Alberto Torres explains why the industry association is vital to the future of enterprise Augmented Reality. Atheer is one of the sixteen Founding Sponsor Members of the AREA which launched today.