Industrial Augmented Reality

Enterprise augmented reality, like most enterprise solutions, helps solve multifaceted issues within large organizations by connecting critical data sources. The added value of AR is the ability for workers to visualize this critical data in the context of their work environment—be that in the factory, office, or field. Learn more about Vuforia, PTC’s enterprise augmented reality solution.

The key difference between augmented reality and virtual reality is the ability to see your physical environment. A VR headset is required for virtual reality, and when worn, the entire environment becomes digital, and the user is completely immersed in the experience. With augmented reality, the user can still see the physical world, but it’s augmented with digital objects.

Industrial augmented reality can be used in a variety of ways across an organization, most notably within manufacturing, service, and training. AR is uniquely suited to provide valuable context to frontline workers while they repair, assemble, and inspect essential machinery. This added context and immersive capabilities make it ideal as a training tool for new hires, reducing the time it takes to get them out in the field.

Industry 4.0 is the newest phase of the industrial revolution that involves a variety of “smart” technologies, including automation, machine learning, connected data, and real-time data. At PTC, we see this as the next step in the evolution of manufacturing, based on the idea that machines should be able to communicate with each other and work together to create new products and services. Augmented reality is deeply involved with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and provides the visual, digital aids that offer deeper contextual significance to business-critical data.

Like many cutting-edge technologies supporting Industry 4.0, augmented reality is poised to grow exponentially in the coming years. Organizations who value innovation are already seeing returns from their AR investments, with bigger gains still to come. Augmented reality is seen as an essential tool for future innovation by leading technology companies as a key method to visualize data while on the job. Whether teams are in the factory, office, or field, PTC’s continued research and investment will help drive greater productivity and efficiency for industrial organizations around the world.