Augmented reality (AR) is already being used in industry, for example, in the training of new employees. The technology enables instructions for operating a machine to be displayed in real time on AR glasses. Industrial workers thus experience the correct operation directly without having to read instructions beforehand. An international team of researchers has now experimentally investigated the specific effects of using AR devices.
Fifty participants were instructed in two unfamiliar, varyingly difficult tasks in the production of electronic devices. Half received the instructions on paper, the other group via AR glasses. Both groups then had to complete the tasks, first with and then without instructions. In a second step, all participants were asked to make suggestions for improvements to optimize the production processes. These suggestions were then evaluated by experts.
AR glasses significantly increase productivity
Study participants with AR glasses, who were given a difficult task, completed the task almost 44 percent faster than the control group with paper instructions. For the simple task, the time difference was still a good 15 percent. However, it was also found that the participants with AR support apparently had less grasp of the task than their counterparts with analog instructions. When repeating the complex task without aids, they were slower, taking 23 percent longer than the other group.
“Those who rely too much on technology do not process the information as deeply and achieve less learning effect,”
says study leader David Wuttke, Professor of Supply Chain Management at TUM.
"Augmented reality devices are very similar to car navigation systems. If you drive through an unfamiliar city with a navigation system, you'll have a hard time finding your way around the next time without it."
The group with paper instructions also clearly outperformed the others in terms of suggestions for improvement. Wuttke says:
"The results suggest that the augmented reality device served as a crutch, but did not lead to a deeper understanding of the task among people and, as a result, they were also able to contribute little to process optimization."
“Augmented reality can advance companies enormously – if you know what you can achieve with the technology.”
The study authors therefore currently see the greatest benefit of augmented reality technology in industries with a high production frequency, where process optimization is either complete or does not play a major role. Companies that rely on continuous product development, on the other hand, benefit less from AR.
“For these industries, a hybrid form or an intelligent design of augmented reality could be the solution,”
says David Wuttke.
"For example, the applications could be programmed to ask specific questions—or even to intentionally imperfect instructions to encourage reflection. Another possibility would be to have some employees use AR glasses to ensure high productivity, while others produce with analog guidance, thus continuing to work on improved production processes."
The scientists want to further research how these approaches actually work in production. Wuttke emphasizes:
“Augmented reality can help companies move forward enormously – if you know what you can do with the technology.”
