Production will become increasingly more flexible in the future. For employees, this means that work processes will be constantly changing. An intelligent workshop trolley now optimally guides workers through their tasks with the aid of AR glasses. Researchers will be showcasing this newly developed solution at the Hannover Messe (Booth D11, Hall 7) between April 24 and 28, 2017.
Industry is facing great changes as production is set to become digital and intelligent. In responding to this challenge, companies are first seeking to digitize information flows and will then need to follow with automation. However, it is not advantageous for machines or robots to perform all of the work steps. After all, humans are superior to machines in many respects, such as when it comes to making decisions that require experience and detailed knowledge.
Artificial intelligence guides humans through complex processes
As production is set to become increasingly more flexible and manufacturing is moving towards customized products, total concentration will be required of employees at all times. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD in Rostock have set themselves the goal of incorporating humans into future production processes and flows more effectively. “With our Plant@Hand workshop trolley, we have created an intelligent production environment which provides humans with optimum assistance in their duties,” explains Mario Aehnelt, scientist at Fraunhofer IGD. “The system checks product quality, detects malfunctions, and transmits current operating data to production. This allows the progress on extensive, complex assembly work to be tracked to the minute while employees are optimally guided through the process.”
This is all made possible by elements such as sensors integrated into the workshop trolley. These sensors record which components, tools, or materials workers have implemented. However, this data is not sufficient on its own. Artificial intelligence methods and relevant background knowledge of assembly form the core of the system. This knowledge allows the system to identify which step is next and what tools are required to perform it, for example. The system's artificial intelligence uses the sensor data to determine what tasks employees are working on at any particular time and where they require support.
Scalable as desired
The system is scalable, so that it provides employees with precisely the assistance they require. In practice this means, for example, that if a company needs to incorporate contract workers who are not very familiar or are completely unfamiliar with procedures, the system carefully guides the contracted workers through the work process. The intelligent workshop trolley uses a visual display to indicate the following work step as well as the required materials and tools, and also supplies an explanation on what is to be done next. Old hands who do not need such assistance may find it annoying. In the case of such experienced employees, artificial intelligence only intervenes if there is a risk that the quality of the product could be impaired. Basically, the system can be easily adapted to employees' requirements on an individual basis.
End device: AR glasses
A touch screen, a tablet, or a pair of AR glasses serve as a display. When wearing AR glasses, the worker sees a visual display of the current work step superimposed on the real-life environment. Employees can use their voice or gestures to control the display. Researchers will be presenting the intelligent Plant@Hand workshop trolley at Hannover Messe (Booth D11, Hall 7) between April 24 and 28, 2017. Visitors will be able to take a look through AR glasses themselves and experience the assistance these glasses provide.
Fraunhofer IGD at HMI 2017: http://www.igd.fraunhofer.de/en/veranstaltungen/hannover-messe-2017