Arvizio Instructor Shows How AR/VR Allied with AI Can Support Manufacturers’ Efforts to Onboard and Upskill Staff

Immersive technology is increasingly used by forward-thinking industrial and manufacturing firms in a few key ways, one of which is part of onboarding new employees and upskilling existing employees to support efforts to improve productivity and quality levels. Companies are feeling increasing pressure from a rapidly retiring workforce, combined with significant expertise requirements in high-skill positions potentially being lost. Operations touched by these positions are often complex and high-impact: machinery and workflows requiring accuracy to avoid scrap and downtime.

Ottawa-headquartered Arvizio is an example of a technology supplier that is incorporating Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its solutions to combat these challenges; instead of referring to paper-based manuals, users can receive visualized instructions; for example, guiding assembly or maintenance tasks at the appropriate time either as part of a training program or to support day-to-day activities via Arvizio Instructor. AI for process verification combines with proven Extended Reality (XR) applications for digital workflows, content visualization, and remote expert support.

Arvizio Instructor can be accessed not only via immersive headsets—from AR hardware such as Microsoft HoloLens and Magic Leap, as well as VR headsets like Meta Quest, but also Personal Computer (PCs) and mobile devices. A no-code tool enables users to import images, videos, and traditional documentation, as well as Three-Dimensional (3D) models to create the virtual processes and workflows. One of the most common challenges for deploying immersive solutions is creating content for the devices in a timely and cost-effective manner, and low/no-code options help speed up that process.

The user experience includes AR overlaying the images of the work at hand and a text-to-speech interface. Included in Arvizio Instructor is the AI Validator, which checks to ensure that actions are performed correctly and can spot any defects in the items produced. If the user experiences difficulties, they can connect with a remote expert who will be able to see the issues for themselves in real time and collaborate with the user as if they were there in person.

To support the training and onboarding uses cases, the solution provides the opportunity to include tests and assessments. This will be critical for compliance purposes as evidence that new employees can demonstrate the correct skills prior to entering hazardous environments. Combined with the real-time guidance and verification processes, both new employee training and new process upskilling can be completed quicker and with fewer errors than standard procedures.

ABI Research’s Industrial and Manufacturing Survey 1H 2024: Extended Reality (XR) (PT-3335) shows that industrial and manufacturing firms are looking for innovative technologies that can support many different users and use cases. Furthermore, ABI Research’s Handling the Baby Boomer Exodus in Manufacturing report (AN-6055) outlines that improving training and mentoring will be critical tasks to implement so that the tribal knowledge of longstanding employees can be captured and shared.

To successfully deploy XR/VR applications, industrial and manufacturing firms must first document, electronically, best practices for performing tasks so that AI tools can perform the validation. The information capturing process should harness information from equipment Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), regulators, existing software applications, and employees that have expertise in the task, regardless of seniority or tenure.

When designing the interfaces using solutions such as Arvizio Instructor, users need to be aware of different preferences for workflows for delivering instructions and how information is displayed. A balance between information density and helpfulness must be found—too much information presented is overwhelming and can be counterproductive, while too little information limits the effectiveness of the solution. Different workflows and environments require different types and quantities of information as well—a complex maintenance task on a factory floor should use simple guidance when possible, while a dedicated VR training environment can more fully immerse users.

The instant feedback loops provided by XR/VR applications allied with the remote expert support should reduce the time required for improvements in productivity and/or quality. The Industrial and Manufacturing Survey illustrated that industrial and manufacturing firms face a wide range of challenges internally and in their external environments. Improving the skills and capabilities of the workforce with solutions such as Arvizio Instructor, as well as others such as Atheer, PTC Vuforia, ScopeAR, and TeamViewer Frontline will go some way toward alleviating those challenges.