Made Smarter is now deploying smart glasses within print SMEs for virtual production line tours as part of its digital transformation programme.
Made Smarter is the UK national industrial digitalisation movement to drive productivity and growth, and works in partnership with the UK government. It is now offering PSPs smart glasses that will enable technology advisers from Made Smarter perform virtual tours of factories and identify operational challenges and technological solutions.
The virtual visit allows advisers to dial in to a conference call and watch each operation being performed in order. This enables discussions around inputs, outputs, process control, and quality performance in order to provide a clear picture of each business’s bespoke operation.
Made Smarter has different types of smart glasses to suit different requirements including the Epson Moverio, Realwear HMT-1, Vuzix Blade, and Magic Leap.The glasses come with a 4G dongle to ensure connectivity if there are WiFi or network coverage challenges. They also work offline, which means companies can record a video of the production line walk which can be reviewed later.The glasses are connected through Remote Eye software which enables a live stream video and the opportunity to take high definition screenshots which can be tagged in a library for swift access.Viewers can also use a cursor to direct the wearer to any areas of interest and annotate the picture in real time.
Digital transformation workshops identify other ways the Made Smarter programme can support PSPs: fully-funded digital technology internships to help implement projects and bring a fresh perspective and new skills into the business; specialist advice about workforce development and skills; and funding for new digital tools and technologies such as data and systems integration, robotics and automation, or additive manufacturing.