Smart Glasses - With Augmented Reality to Industry 4.0

Smart Glasses are wearable devices that augment reality and enable hands-free work. This opens up new opportunities for all companies to make their own processes more efficient and become fit for the requirements of digital transformation.

However, the young market is still confusing. Different specifications and complex technology make it difficult for interested parties to find the perfect smart glasses for your use case.

We explain how smart glasses work, in which areas the smart glasses offer which advantages and which augmented reality glasses you should buy.

Smart Maintenance is one of the top AR application areas in the industry

How do smart glasses work?

Smart glasses are glasses with a display that shows information. This information is projected into the real environment. This is why we also speak of augmented reality, or AR glasses. In order for smart glasses to represent an altered reality, smart glasses have sensors that translate the environment into data that machines can understand.

Smart glasses are basically nothing more than small tablets that you can wear on your eyes. They have hardware, and either Windows or Android is often used as the operating system. Smart Glasses are controlled by voice or gesture. The hands therefore remain free.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality is not a new concept – on the contrary. The first wearable augmented reality solution was developed as early as 1968. However, the term itself was first used in 1990. It wasn’t until the early 2000s that augmented reality really took off as a technology. Meanwhile, major technology companies such as Google, Microsoft and Samsung offer their own wearable AR glasses and other AR solutions.

How does augmented reality work?

Augmented reality adds additional information to the visible reality. AR is thus fundamentally based on two components:

Cameras and other sensors must capture reality and make it understandable for a computer. The AR application needs to know the number, shape and positioning of objects in space to represent reality.
Then, to insert additional information and objects into this reality, AR applications use an algorithm. An algorithm is a logic according to which certain data is handled. The better the algorithm, the more accurately an AR device can map augmented reality.

Devices for AR applications

AR glasses are not the only device that can be used to display augmented reality. With the appropriate Augmented Reality Software even a smartphone or tablet becomes an AR device.

One of the best-known AR applications that have helped the concept gain popularity is the mobile game “Pokemon Go.”

But AR applications have also long been used in industry with classic end devices. In warehouse logistics, for example, navigation can be simplified and optimized. The tablet scans the storage room and knows the next orders. The warehouse worker then receives a visualization of where the next goods are located. An AR headset is also frequently used in logistics.

Selected AR glasses can also be used in Ex zones

The best smart glasses 2022

Want to buy augmented reality glasses but overwhelmed by different names, models and specifications? Below, we explain which smart glasses are best suited for your use case.

In our store you will find the best smart glasses on the market.

Head Mounted Display - binocular or monocular smart glasses?

A basic distinction is made between hardware and software requirements when it comes to smart glasses.

On the hardware side, a distinction is made between monocular and binocular smart glasses. Monocular smart glasses have a display in front of one eye, which displays 2D images.
Head Mounted Display
displays 2D images.

With binocular smart glasses, on the other hand, there is a display in front of both eyes and 3D models are shown. That’s also why binocular smart glasses are so popular in the industry in the areas of
Digital Engineering
and smart building.

The latest models on monocular basis offer the following highlights: Cameras with up to 16 mega pixels, integrated autofocus for razor-sharp images, voice commands so that the hands are free while working, battery runtimes with up to 5 hours.

Of course, you can buy the best smart glasses at ALEGER. We will also be happy to advise you on the selection and areas of application.

Get a callback now:

The best monocular smart glasses

Realwear HMT-1: Powerful & fully rugged

A highlight of the
HMT-1
is the advanced speech recognition, which uses four digital microphones to recognize voice commands despite loud ambient noise and interprets them with one of the most advanced speech recognition AI. This makes the smart glasses suitable for applications where precise instructions and exact work are important – for example, in the maintenance of machines.

The Realwear is also
Atex certification
available. The data goggles are thus one of the few “hands free” AR devices approved for use in potentially explosive atmospheres.

Lightweight and robust smart glasses with very good camera for outdoor use: Vuzix M4000

The
Vuzix M4000
is a pair of AR glasses specially designed for use in production, warehouse logistics and field service to meet the requirements of Industry 4.0. With this, Vuzix competes with Google and its Smart Glasses. Similar to Google’s smart glasses, the Vuzix M4000 has an excellent camera that takes videos in 4K resolution and photos at 12.8 MP. In addition, the Vuzix 4000 is one of the rugged smart glasses that is secured against drops from a height of 2 meters and has an IP67 certification, so the smart glasses also pass the endurance test in outdoor areas in bad weather. Weighing only 190 grams, these smart glasses are very light and thus comfortable to wear.

The best binocular augmented reality glasses

Your second display for on the go as Android smart glasses: Moverio BT-40

The binocular
Moverio BT-40
smart glasses create a virtual workplace for more efficient work on the go. This either enlarges the screen of your laptop, smartphone or tablet, or creates a second screen. This offers your data security from prying eyes and allows you to work comfortably. A modern OLED display allows fatigue-free work even for longer periods of time.

Most advanced spatial representation for training, modeling and simulation with Microsoft HoloLens 2.

The HoloLens 2 from Microsoft is Microsoft’s attempt to enter the augmented reality market. And with great success. HoloLens in its second iteration provides users with binocular smart glasses, with one of the best spatial representations on the market, detecting two objects or surfaces simultaneously. This makes it particularly useful for modeling 3D objects and for training and simulation. The HoloLens 2 is controlled with gestures or a virtual keyboard.

Some of the glasses presented here are also known as mixed reality glasses. Learn more here:

Professional maintenance with augmented reality

Smart glasses: The fields of application

Head-mounted displays got their start not in the professional, but in the consumer sector. In gaming and media, large companies have been experimenting with VR and AR glasses for a long time.

In the industry the
Use in remote maintenance
is a popular field of application. Finally, the biggest problem in remote maintenance was that the service employee always has to work with a third party perspective. With smart glasses, on the other hand, the service technician literally sees through the eyes of the employee on site. The use of smart glasses also offers advantages in logistics. For example, shipping giant DHL is using smart glasses to speed up the removal of goods. Smart glasses are also increasingly used today to train employees in the use of equipment and procedures. Boeing, for example, accelerated the production of cables by equipping employees with smart glasses through which all work instructions can be visualized and accessed hands-free.

Learn more about AR application areas in industry here.

How ALEGER's Customers Use Smart Glasses for Industry 4.0

The smart glasses for remote support

Video streaming enables companies to offer support and training in a cost-optimized way. The solution consists of a streaming service as well as hardware with installed
Remote software
. The online platform allows access to the camera’s encrypted video stream regardless of location. Thus, the service employee or expert takes the perspective on site and can directly instruct the employees on site. The solution can also be used for documentation, employee management or training purposes.
On the hardware side, tablets and smartphones as well as smart glasses can be used. You are welcome to purchase these from ALEGER or integrate existing terminals.
Further interesting functions are available like: Autofocus, voice control, integrated chats with translation, image/video recording, barcode scanner, the import of information (e.g.:data sheets, videos), live image editing, multi-conferencing, etc.

The smart glasses as an assistance system

The smart glasses integrate seamlessly with your digital knowledge base. Easily make expert knowledge available anywhere, anytime.
Use the data goggles to document work steps directly at the scene of the event. Make important information, which is accessed via QR codes on the smart glasses or smartphone, available digitally.
Create trainings, work instructions and much more. Make them available to various groups, such as employees, partners, customers, etc., at any time.

The smart glasses in logistics

Take advantage of the benefits of smart glasses in logistics. Massive efficiency gains can be gained, especially in picking, and in confirmation. DHL, for example, has recorded 25% faster goods removal and Coca Cola 99.99% accuracy since the introduction of smart glasses.

Work instructions can be displayed directly in Digital Engineering

Smart Glasses - an important building block for the digital transformation of your company

Smart glasses network people, the environment and machines, thereby enabling more efficient work processes. With increasing networking of all devices in the Internet of things, the possible applications for smart glasses are therefore also becoming more extensive. For many companies and
Smart Factories
it is already worthwhile to use AR glasses to improve processes in production, logistics, training and customer experience. At ALEGER, we offer a wide range of smart glasses from all relevant manufacturers and will be happy to advise you on the best solutions for your individual use case.

Click here to see our top smart glasses.

Smart Glasses & INDUSTRY 4.0

Get into the topic of Industry 4.0 with Smart Glasses!

24/7 ONLINE AVAILABILITY

No matter where and when. Give or receive online support anytime, anywhere.

INTEGRATED CHAT TRANSLATION

Provide service and support in any language through the integrated translation chat, which is shown directly in the display of the glasses.

INTEGRATION WITH AR TOOLS

Benefit from the integration possibilities with other AR tools, such as the digital knowledge base or the augmented reality data management solution.

RECORD SESSIONS

Record support missions for a wide variety of purposes. Whether it is to document processes, create training materials, or document maintenance and other support services.

DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

Make sure nothing gets lost or forgotten. With the help of intelligent document management, you can accurately track service tickets and documents.

LIVE - IMAGE EDITING

Mark and edit the image live and directly in the video stream to give precise instructions.

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