Augmented Reality (AR) technology enhances our perceptions and improves the user experience in a
revolutionary way. Our challenge is to transfer this technology to the manufacturing world. What if you
could see animated instructions upon the reality and interact with them instead of using clipboards or
going to a kiosk to enter data?
A team of SAP colleagues of different areas built an augmented reality pilot that is based on google glasses together with our customer Bechtle. Bechtle is a German IT distributor, SAP Consulting implemented EWM at Bechtle. This pilot is based on EWM but does not use our RF framework. In various design thinking workshops together with Bechtle, a vision has been established which has been captured in a video and also a mock up has been built. This can be seen as basis for further projects to enable operators in the warehouse to work more effectively.
SAP and Vuzix (the partner for the glasses) are piloting an AR hands-free solution built for industrial applications while leveraging existing SAP investments. Enterprise information is visible right before the worker’s eyes while allowing the worker to stay focused on their work and environment. With data coming in real-time from machine-to-machine sensors and SAP systems, workers can respond quickly with unmatched situation awareness such as knowing what and where to pick inventory, receiving alerts and instruction to handle maintenance and getting safety messages to avoid accidents from a blind spot. These are just a few use cases where warehouse management, assembly, field installation, testing, machine tooling and repair
operations represent a dazzling opportunity for the implementation of AR tools.
This was also presented at SAPPHIRE and shows how SAP Extended Warehouse Management is driving innovations as a best in class warehousing solutions in the market.
