On the application of Augmented Reality in a learning factory working environment

The manufacturing industry is currently facing numerous challenges such as shortening innovation cycles, the demographic challenge and cost pressure. Augmented Reality (AR) offers tremendous potential for enhancing manufacturing processes in terms of productivity, education and safety and is therefore being intensively researched by scientists at present. One of the advantages is that it facilitates support for employees and optimizes the working environment. Thus, operators can exploit their innovation potential and creativity. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potentials of AR to face current challenges in production, show state-of-the art applications and present an own developed AR application to support the employee with their work tasks. With the application introduced, employees are provided with real-time data from their machinery, which is displayed in their field of vision. In addition, the application enables the processing of more complex and non-repetitive tasks that would otherwise require additional know-how or personnel. By using the application, instructions for maintenance work are embedded in the environment, allowing the operator to focus on his or her tasks. In the event of a problem, the operator can share the environment so an expert can perform remote assistance in real-time. In order to increase the acceptance of AR technologies, the application has been integrated into the LEAD factory at Graz University of Technology and is actively used in training courses. In this paper this AR application is tested and the test persons are asked with a questionnaire regarding their experience.