Manufacturing digital transformation programmes have centred on machinery, using data from connected assets to enhance operating areas. Most people instantly consider the internet of things (IoT) when connected technologies are discussed. Industry 4.0 now encompasses more than just building smart factories. Organizational resilience is a pillar that strikes a balance between an enterprise's need to adapt, take the lead, and maintain its business objectives.
This in turn creates new challenges for workers in the factory. They must complete a range of tasks in an efficient and timely manner. To do so, workers need access to data (static or real-time) that will enable them to make informed decisions.
Connected Worker solution takes IoT one step further by transforming workers' jobs.
The increased focus on managing human capital– which entails creating a motivated, capable, and adaptable workforce through training, operational knowledge management, and collaboration, is the driving factor and surge of connected worker solutions.
What is the connected worker’s solution?
A connected worker has digital access to all the knowledge, tools, and information required to complete assignments reliably and safely, leading to productivity, quality, and safety increases in productivity, quality, and safety. Frontline workers can communicate with managers or co-workers located elsewhere thanks to connected worker technology, which combines hardware, network, and software solutions. Employees who are out in the field can connect remotely to dashboards or share their perspectives with co-workers. The connected factory worker is more motivated, adaptable, and equipped to find solutions on their own.
Workers in manufacturing are already feeding and accessing data using computer terminals or handhelds. We advise using wearables with an integrated camera, microphone, and speaker with noise-cancelling capabilities for connected worker technology to perform at its best.
In the upcoming progression, we picture workers using smart glasses. Digital work instructions, completion of checklists, knowledge sharing, critical production updates, and problem-solving collaboration are all made simple for workers. The opportunity for extraordinary visibility and operational knowledge is the new paradigm. A more constrained subset of connected worker capabilities can also be enabled through laptops, tablets, or phones.
While accomplishing tasks, the user uses voice commands to browse and access information without using their hands. We have seen that using a hands-free device increases worker productivity by up to 40% in various use-case situations. The productivity increase is more significant as work complexity increases.
Why embrace and shift to a connected workers solution?
Businesses utilizing connected workers raise employee output, advance safety, and increase revenue. Increased efficiency lowers expenses and allows employees to complete their tasks more quickly and precisely. Employees may decide immediately based on their access to databases, dashboards, and reports.
This trend aims to invest in the people who make up the larger production system, not just to connect workers with machines and their peers. Today, process improvement and skill evolution go hand in hand with learning and development for the manufacturing industry. Technology for connected workers is a component of an agile production system that develops human potential while tracking performance milestones for the enterprise's operating system.
A connected workforce is more engaged, proactive and accountable. Cause of flexibility they are more agile, adaptive and innovative. This workforce is competent, trained and knowledgeable that delivers a safe working environment that is equipped and committed. In numerous use cases and industries, connected worker solutions have been powered by powerful assisted reality technologies.
Smart glasses are used in Connected Worker applications that make use of Assisted Reality concepts. Smart Glass can further enhance these solutions and increase worker productivity by giving hands-free access to information and instructions.
Here are 5 ways that Assisted Reality Connected Workers using smart glasses in manufacturing helps businesses increase productivity and quality:
Access to production data - Workers can receive real-time information crucial to production, such as machine state, shift state, line yields, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), by connecting intelligent glasses to systems of record.
Instantaneous troubleshooting - Workers may connect and communicate with specialists whenever and wherever they need to handle problems more quickly and efficiently when they arise on the line.
Digital investigations with optimum usage of resources - Technicians may record repairs in progress, note problems, and consult repair manuals through their smart glasses. Managers and workflow automation systems can reroute or notify people on the line to avoid bottlenecks and reach peak production levels with a more connected workforce.
Transfer of knowledge - Smart glasses allow experienced workers to record their operations to upskill younger and less experienced staff, bridging the growing skills gap.
Worker safety and protection - Smart glasses can be used by manufacturers to record safety protocols and do job hazard analysis on the production floor.
Top use case of connected workers.
Based on our expertise, we think that Assisted Reality applications are most suited for the following 6 kinds of use cases:
Repair and Maintenance
Assembly
Inspection and Quality Check
Field service team
Installation and commissioning
On job training
Results from numerous clients and industries show that these use cases have been successful in:-
Giving workers step-by-step instructions will boost worker productivity.
Access to information in the form of documents, photos, or videos makes it easier to avoid mistakes on the job.
Streamline the digital thread of a process by having employees take voice or text notes, photos, and videos to document their work results for auditing purposes.
Enhance first-time fixes (FTF) by working with remote experts to resolve a problem (you-see-what-I-see).
When a generation of employees retires, skills and expertise are gradually diminishing and are lost. Since they are no longer as easily accessible to onsite workers, skilled pay workers in support jobs are increasingly working remotely. It is anticipated that frontline worker roles will become even more automated.
The work of a connected worker goes beyond knowledge preservation and skill development. The idea is based on the conviction that frontline employees have the most comprehensive understanding of what can increase productivity, efficiency, or speed. It enables them to directly translate their expertise, creativity, and experience into process enhancements. Innovation ultimately occurs when employees are given the chance to express their views.
Let us wrap up
Supported by Assisted Reality Solutions for Connected Workers increase the enterprise's resilience by:
increasing worker productivity, lowering job execution errors, increasing worker agility, and assisting in raising the calibre of services provided to customers.
We have created a collection of software accelerators with essential features that serve as the framework for the most typical use cases for connected workers. These accelerators have undergone field testing and can be incorporated according to the use case, speeding up the delivery of the solution.
Wish to learn more? Are you looking to begin or hasten your journey toward being a connected worker? Connect with us. It is possible to exchange multiple use cases and best practices. We'll be pleased to help. We invite you to follow our hashtag - #dxsolutionadvisor on LinkedIn as well as our page.