How extended reality is transforming industry
As access to 5G expands, so does our ability to use wearable devices and immersive technology at work. Greater data bandwidth means faster access, whether the workplace is an airplane hangar, a hospice care wing of a hospital, or a massive retail warehouse.
Across shops, factories, medical centers, and the home, the futuristic world of Extended Reality (XR) — which encompasses augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR) and virtual reality (VR) — is blending physical and virtual environments.
“People often refer to AR and VR as emerging technologies, but companies are already using a full range of Extended Reality solutions to solve real problems today“
XR can help business in a variety of ways. In medicine, VR rehabilitation therapy is improving care and decreasing the length of hospital stays. And in the supply chain, XR technology is helping manufacturing and transportation companies modernize their infrastructure, boost productivity and provide better customer service.
The possibilities are endless.
Manufacturing
New dimensions
On the factory floor, an articulated robotic arm on the assembly line cuts precisely placed holes in steel sheets, one after the next. Soon, these holes should be fitted with illuminating floor buttons for elevator doors. But when the arm malfunctions, the entire factory floor grinds to a halt. Bringing a repair team out to the factory could hold up production for hours—or days—throwing entire supply chains into disarray. But with a mixed-reality headset, an in-house technician could receive remote assistance from a master technician to fix the robotic arm with minimal delay.
Tap on screen to place object
Scan QR code to
launch AR experience.
This on-the-fly training is powered by augmented reality—an interactive experience where real-world objects are augmented by digital information. Along with on-the-job tutorials, companies are using AR to train new hires. This trend is catching on, Carter said, as people tend to learn better with AR.
According to one study , participants who learned material through lectures only retained about five percent of the information presented. Reading material was only a little more effective. Meanwhile, study participants training in XR headsets showed a 75 percent retention rate. Other research shows that, not only do people have an easier time learning the material, the vast majority prefer AR training over other training platforms or approaches.
This on-the-fly training is powered by augmented reality—an interactive experience where real-world objects
are augmented by digital information. Along with on-the-job tutorials, companies are using AR to train new hires. This trend is catching on,
Carter said, as people tend to learn better with AR.
According to one study, participants who learned material through lectures only retained about five percent of the information presented. Reading material was only a little more effective. Meanwhile, study participants training in XR headsets showed a 75 percent retention rate. Other research shows that, not only do people have an easier time learning the material, the vast majority prefer AR training over other training platforms or approaches.
Manufacturing businesses are also using XR to create “digital twins,” which are digital replicas of the building’s physical environments—from warehouse shelves to factory floors. XR can help business owners see at a glance where productivity is being held up, or where they need to do preventative maintenance. Eliminating downtime with digital twins can help streamline business processes and reduce costs.
“With XR, digital twins can appear as real as the physical machines they emulate,” Carter said. “When viewing digital twins through XR rather than on a laptop, data can appear three dimensionally.”
Healthcare
New frontiers
The healthcare industry is experimenting with XR to soothe pain and anxiety.
In end-of-life care, reducing pain and anxiety is front of mind for patients and caregivers. Relieving patients’ pain can mean more comfort and more quality time with loved ones.
VITAS®, Healthcare a company specializing in end-of-life care, worked with AT&T Business to launch a study into the potential of AR and VR for reducing chronic pain and anxiety in certain hospice patients. Anxious patients were invited to have relaxing, transportive experiences through a virtual reality headset. The experience might take them on a virtual walk through a field, along a tranquil stream, or even visit an exotic destination, like Peru’s Machu Picchu. Results from the study showed that hospice patients experienced relief from pain, anxiety and even disease-specific symptoms.
“Extended Reality, whether AR, VR, or spatial computing and mixed reality, is like giving patients
and staff superpowers.”
“Extended Reality, whether AR, VR, or spatial computing and mixed reality, is like giving patients
and staff superpowers.”
Virtual reality offers caregivers and
families the opportunity to help address anxiety without requiring a specialized set of medical skills, or risking side effects from pharmacologic treatments.
“We know that immersive VR experiences can have a positive impact for patients suffering from pain and anxiety,” Carter said. But it doesn’t stop here: AR and VR will also eventually enable doctors, nurses and staff to learn procedures and treatment techniques through immersive visualizations.
“Extended Reality, whether AR, VR, or spatial computing and mixed reality, is like giving patients and staff superpowers.” he said. “It removes the barriers of geography and enables care providers access to an unprecedented amount of contextual information that surrounds patients and clinical spaces.”
Transportation
New journeys
In the transportation industry, every second matters. Making repairs and adjustments quickly can be the difference between a plane taking off on time or getting stuck on the tarmac, or a crucial delivery hitting or missing a deadline. Extended reality tools can help identify the right mechanical parts and help can perform complex vehicle repairs safely and accurately. Transportation companies can use XR technology to perform repairs where 5G is available, whether that be in a cargo warehouse or an airplane hangar.
AT&T interns at the Texas A&M RELLIS campus demonstrate how extended reality can help technicians make repairs to transportation equipment quickly and correctly. With on-the-spot AR training, technicians can repair critical parts of vehicles, like airplane landing gear.
XR can also help companies reach peak sustainability. The last mile in a delivery makes up 40% of logistics costs . Imagine drivers wearing AR glasses to identify shorter routes and avoid traffic, thus saving fuel costs.
Being able to run XR technologies at every point along the supply chain requires a fast, reliable and secure 5G network. Since 2017, AT&T invested more than $135 billion in wireless and wireline networks, including capital investments and acquisition of wireless spectrum. These investments are helping to enable XR applications today and into the future.
Skilled labor, Carter said, is at a turning point. Due to an aging population of skilled workers, new technology such as XR will be important for training the next generation.
“We won’t solve tomorrow’s problems with yesterday’s thinking. Businesses will need new ways to help workers do more with less every day. That’s what XR can help achieve.”