Mixed reality glasses: Work more efficiently thanks to AR visualization

Insert virtual objects and information into the real environment – you can do that with mixed reality glasses. The areas of application are many and the potential cost savings are enormous.

Because the simulations replace expensive Prototypes and avoid costly errors. For the optimal benefit of Mixed Reality however, companies must select the right model for their use case. We show you the application scenarios.

Work instructions can be displayed directly in Digital Engineering

Differences: Mixed Reality Glasses vs. VR Glasses vs. Head Mounted Tablets

In the meantime, companies have many different types of Smart Glasses available to make their processes more efficient. This has led to a multiplicity of terms in which laypersons have difficulty finding their way around. Therefore, a brief overview of how mixed reality glasses should be classified.

Head Mounted Tablets/Head Mounted Displays

The Head Mounted Displays are glasses or helmet-like constructions that usually display digital information in front of one eye. While users keep an eye on the physical environment with one eye, they can use their other eye to view instructions or checklists, for example. Sharing the screen with people who are not on site is also possible via apps.

VR glasses

Unlike Augmented reality virtual reality (VR) glasses completely close off the wearer’s field of vision from the outside world and show him or her a virtual environment that need have nothing in common with the actual environment.

AR glasses/mixed reality glasses

Augmented reality (AR) glasses are also known as mixed reality glasses. They are located between head-mounted tablet and VR glasses in terms of functionality. The lenses are partially transparent, allowing the wearer to see the physical environment. With the help of special AR Software digital elements can be projected into the field of view. The representation is true to reality. Users can move objects and view them from all sides.

Professional maintenance with augmented reality

Application scenarios: How do mixed reality glasses simplify everyday work?

Mixed reality glasses are no longer just for the gaming scene. The devices can be used in many entrepreneurial AR Application areas use.

Product development

Whether it’s a high-tech machine or a wooden table, when you remove a new product, you can design a 3D model and have colleagues or customers view the digital design through AR glasses. You get meaningful feedback and you don’t even have to be in the same room to do it.

Smart Factory

Even comprehensive developments like smart production facilities can be projected to scale into the environment. Instead of having to rely on your own and your counterpart’s imagination, you can quickly identify errors and optimization potential. Customers get a better picture of the future result and you save costs for the development of a physical prototype.

Training

In production, every move has to be right, and at the same time speed is of the essence. Train your employees in the safe environment of mixed reality. Here, they can gain routine work experience with digital objects. Use AR glasses to show customers which maintenance actions they would need to perform and how, when they choose a product. Concerns can be easily debunked through simulated experience.

Quality assurance

Are the components installed correctly? Do the dimensions match the model? With the mixed reality glasses, you can conveniently perform precise target/actual comparisons. Expand your quality assurance with a practical tool that speeds up previous processes many times over.

Maintenance

In the Maintenance precision is essential. At the same time, machines and plants are becoming increasingly complex. A challenge for technicians. Using mixed reality goggles, they can simulate maintenance processes using digital objects in order to implement even demanding measures quickly and safely on site at the customer. For difficult repairs, technicians can easily superimpose the next steps into their field of view.

Remote maintenance

If industrial customers identify problems with their machines, they can remotely connect technicians via mixed reality glasses and have them guide them through the testing and repair process. By means of innovative remote maintenance companies reduce downtime and the costs for technician deployment are significantly lower.

Mixed reality glasses are increasingly used in the automotive industry and industrial manufacturing. Augmented reality is also slowly making its way into many other industries, such as medicine, architecture or agriculture.

Have an idea for a mixed reality use case? Contact us, we are always happy to realize innovative use cases.

Selected AR glasses can also be used in Ex zones

The best mixed reality glasses? Our recommendations

AR glasses are no longer experimental gadgets, but value-adding helpers in everyday business. More and more companies want to try out the new technology and are looking for the best mixed reality glasses. In the meantime, there are several providers and models that can be considered for enterprise use.

Hololens 2 from Microsoft

Microsoft’s Hololens 2 are among the most advanced mixed reality glasses on the market. The successor to the Hololens has a larger field of view of 50 degrees, offers even more comfortable operation and a powerful processor and 2k resolution.

Users can use the Hololens without any further connection to another end device and control it via voice command or gestures. With its 560 grams, it is one of the heavier AR glasses, but it also offers high-end functionality.

Thanks to special AI software that evaluates the environment via sensors, objects can be placed to scale in the room and moved via gestures. To make this possible, the device has two cameras for real-time eye tracking and four additional head cameras as well as a sophisticated accelerometer. A Snapdragon 850 processor and 2 GB of DDR4 working memory ensure that even elaborate presentations are rendered without delay.

The Hololens scores with a comparatively high battery life of two to three hours, so even longer presentations and assignments can be performed without problems.

Magic Leap

The mixed reality glasses Magic Leap from the U.S. company of the same name are AR glasses with their own palm-sized processor unit, which are kept on the belt or in the trouser pocket and are connected to the glasses via a cable.

However, what seems backward at first glance has advantages: Three powerful processors of the proprietary operating system Lumin OS ensure that even elaborate 3D visualizations are displayed without problems and adapt to movements realistically. Thanks to real-time eye tracking and hand tracking, objects can be accurately placed in the environment and viewed there. Only the Microsoft Hololens, whose field of view is also a generous 50 degrees, reaches a similar level.

The mixed reality glasses work without any other end devices such as smartphones or desktops. Control is possible not only via hand gestures, but also via a 6Dof motion controller for more convenience.

The camera offers the quality of smartphone cameras with 1280×960 pixels, so it is completely sufficient for most purposes. An interesting option: Rooms scanned via Magic Leap can be shared with other users via an application regardless of location.

At 3.5 hours, the Magic Leap offers solid battery performance for everyday business use.

Nreal Light

The Chinese startup is launching its Nreal Light mixed reality glasses on the market, which are particularly suitable for longer periods of wear thanks to their weight of only 106 grams. The design is reminiscent of regular sunglasses and emphasizes that the glasses are designed for a non-industrial corporate environment.

The glasses only work in combination with selected smartphones. The battery life is around two hours for mixed reality applications, which is usually sufficient for product demos and training.

Your Nebula operating system can show multiple applications in parallel on the display. Anyone who needs to keep track of different sources of information will appreciate this feature.

In terms of equipment, the Nreal Light lags behind the industry pioneer Hololens2 significantly: It only has two spatial cameras for evaluating the environment. The virtual representations are made in 1080 pixels. However, its reduced features are accompanied by an attractive price, which makes the Nreal Light an interesting entry-level model into the mixed reality world.

Think Reality A3

The Think Reality glasses from Lenovo are designed for both industrial and non-industrial use. The goggles offer lateral protection for the eyes and extra-hardened lenses, so they can also be used in production halls.

The ThinkReality works in combination with certain Android and iOS smartphones as well as Lenovo laptops. Depending on the end device used, the performance of the AR display can be increased.

Thanks to the 8-pixel camera and the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR1 processor, the glasses are ready for various application scenarios and offer a smooth display in 1080 pixels.

The special strength of the glasses lies in their connection to the ThinkReality software platform. There, turnkey applications are available for companies, e.g. Remote Software , training, product visualization or workflow display. With the help of the platform, companies can also implement their own applications for AR technology in a short time.

Vuzix M4000

With its M4000, the US company Vuzix has developed AR glasses specifically for industrial use. The headset is IP67 certified and thus dust- and waterproof as well as robust against drops from a greater height.

The one in the glasses scores with its graphics performance: It allows video recordings in 4K and photo shoots with 12.8 megapixels – both are top values in the field of AR glasses. Control can be conveniently done in three ways: Touch, buttons on the glasses or voice commands. The battery life of the glasses is in the average range of two to three hours, but it is always sufficient for remote support. One drawback is the small field of view of 28 degrees and the only monocular AR display.

Those looking for a robust mixed reality goggle for remote support and who value high-quality graphics should definitely take a closer look at the Vuzix M4000.

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

What to look for when choosing your mixed reality glasses

The differences between the individual AR glasses are often marginal at first glance, but serious upon closer inspection. There is no such thing as the one best pair of mixed reality glasses. To make the right choice, clarify your requirements in advance and take time for a detailed comparison of the different mixed reality glasses.

Application scenario

The most important question first: What do you want to use the AR glasses for? It makes a difference whether you use the glasses in mobile maintenance or product development.

Control

Which operating options are important to you? In maintenance, control via speech and gestures is helpful; for the visualization of workflows and products, the precision of a controller can be important.

Camera

How powerful should the built-in camera be? How important is a realistic AR representation in the physical environment? The more cameras with sensors are installed, the more accurate the fusion of simulation and reality.

Functions

Which functionalities are non-negotiable for you? When listing your minimum requirements, pay attention to features that seem obvious. Autofocus, photo and video recording or integrated image editing are not integrated in every model.

Display resolution

How good does the resolution of the display have to be? Depending on the application, the requirements differ enormously and 2k resolution is not always necessary. Checklists, for example, can be read well in 1080 pixels, but a higher pixel density is recommended for detailed AR models.

Processor

Complex AR visualizations only succeed with powerful processors. Make sure that these are installed in the glasses or that compatible devices provide sufficient performance. Do you only want to visualize simple models? Then you can save costs at this point without any noticeable loss of performance.

Conclusion: Mixed reality glasses conquer the mainstream

A few years ago, mixed reality glasses were still a toy for nerds. The technology was not sufficient for entrepreneurial applicability. Today, the situation is completely different.

AR glasses have matured to the point where they are establishing themselves as efficiency drivers in industrial production and maintenance. Beyond that, many possible applications are conceivable. What is needed is creativity on the part of the companies and a willingness to invest in pilot projects. If you find the right use case, the glasses can noticeably improve the quality and efficiency of your processes.

Make an appointment for a non-binding consultation. Together we find out which mixed reality glasses are optimal for your use case.

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