RealWear Navigator 520, Moziware Cimo, Epson BT 45 i Vuzix M400 - Overview of AR Glasses for Industry
Augmented (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) industry is developing at a dizzying pace. Although dynamic advances are seen primarily in the consumer sector, it is the enterprise market that is experiencing a quiet but disruptive XR revolution. VR devices are finding their way into employee training, product presentations or the design process, while AR glasses are becoming indispensable for remote assistance and streamlining digital workflows. But what exactly are these technologies?
Before going into a detailed explanation, it is worth highlighting the problems faced by modern production facilities. One of the biggest challenges is machinery breakdowns. The cost of repairs and the difficulty of having to bring in experts is considerable. In industrial plants, the frequency of breakdowns depends on the type of equipment, the intensity of its use and the working conditions. For heavy-duty equipment, breakdowns can occur even every few days or weeks.
Every expert generates transport and labour costs, which increase especially when looked at on an annual basis. Machine downtime is also costly, as it can slow down or even stop production, and the longer the downtime lasts, the greater the losses.
The most promising solutions to this problem are remote assistance and digital workflows - but what exactly are these technologies?
Remote Assist, as the name suggests, connects an expert with a technician on site, who can repair the machine with the expert's help. This connection is made via an augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR) kit, allowing the expert to see what the technician sees in real time. The expert can transmit visual instructions, highlights and additional information directly to the technician's view through the headset.
Unlike a normal video call, both the technician and the expert have convenient access to information in real time. The technician, who wears a headset or smart glasses, has his hands free and receives instructions and highlights directly in his field of vision, allowing him to focus on the task without interruption.
Digital Workflow is a solution that integrates and automates various processes in a manufacturing environment through augmented and mixed reality. It facilitates operations by providing technicians with real-time access to digital instructions, data and guidance directly in their field of vision.
With AR or MR glasses, technicians can see digital information superimposed on the real environment, such as machine diagrams, operating procedures or safety guidelines. The workflow is continuously updated, providing access to the latest information, supporting decision-making and minimising errors.
AR glasses, such as the Epson BT-45 or the Vuzix M400, are the answer to the need for remote assistance and digital workflows. They are, however, higher-end equipment, so it is worth knowing their capabilities, advantages and disadvantages in detail and assessing whether the investment will be worthwhile before making a purchase decision. You will find all this information in this article.
Moziware Cimo - Advantages, disadvantages and price
- Advantages: Lightweight (155g), compatible with protective helmets, designed for field work and has IP protection against dust and water. It supports voice commands for complete hands-free operation and its single-eye display minimises distractions.
- Disadvantages: 654×480 resolution and 20° viewing angle provide the lowest image quality of the options discussed. Battery life is 3 hours, which limits its usefulness for longer shifts, no controller.
- The following will work best: Short assignments in demanding environments where mobility, simplicity and robustness are key.
- Price: 7 030 PLN
Epson BT 45C/CS - Advantages, disadvantages and price
- Advantages: The BT-45 series offers higher resolution (1280×720) and a dual display, as well as longer battery life (6 hours). Compatibility with helmets makes it suitable for long shifts. The CS version includes a dedicated controller and the C model can be controlled with a smartphone.
- Disadvantages: Lack of voice commands and complex configuration, which can reduce efficiency in dynamic environments.
- The following will work best: Long tasks requiring high resolution and a wider field of view than other options.
- Price: 7,680 PLN (C) / 8,270 PLN (CS)
RealWear Navigator 520 - Advantages, disadvantages and price
- Advantages: LCoS 1280×720 display with 24° viewing angle, provides precision for tasks requiring accuracy. Impressive operating time (6-8 hours) with replaceable battery, supports voice commands in several languages, takes high quality photos (48 MP) and videos with 6x zoom, ideal for documentation and inspection.
- Disadvantages: Heavier (274 g), no dedicated controller.
- The following will work best: Precision tasks in varied lighting where battery life and image quality are key.
- Price: PLN 12,223
Vuzix M4000 - Advantages, disadvantages and price
- Advantages: With its transparent waveguide display, the Vuzix M4000 offers an impressive visual experience with a resolution of 854×480, a viewing angle of 28° and a brightness of up to 5,000 nits for good visibility in a variety of lighting conditions. It can take high-quality photos (48 MP) and record 4K video at 30 frames per second with 6x zoom. It also supports voice commands in different languages and is compatible with protective helmets.
- Disadvantages: Relatively heavy (222g) and no dedicated controller.
- The following will work best: Tasks requiring a high degree of visual clarity in environments where detail is important.
- Price: PLN 12,272
AR glasses
