Coming to a factory near you…Google Glass is back

Remember Google Glass? The small, lightweight wearable computer, with a
transparent display that brings information into your line of sight, was touted
as the future of mobility until it was withdrawn from the market in January 2015.

Worn like
a regular pair of glasses, it gave users quick access to information such as
notifications, navigation instructions and more. But while early users were
excited about the device, there were concerns about privacy sparked by wearing a head mounted camera in public places, and the hefty price tag meant
it failed to become a consumer hit.

At the
time, Google said it was still committed to working on the future of the
product, and whilst some remained sceptical, last month we heard that X, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, has revived the device with a focus on enterprise
applications. Responding to demand from customers, Google
has launched the Glass Enterprise Edition, a
much-improved version that can be fixed to specially made frames (so safety
glasses can be fitted with it, too), with better connectivity and a longer
battery life.

In the few years since Google Glass fell off
our radar, the development of new Internet of Things (IoT) and Industry 4.0
technologies have transformed smart production processes to pave the way for a
new technological age that’s radically transforming industry and production
value chains and business models.

Advanced manufacturing is driving the need for
increased connectivity and ever more sophisticated data-gathering and analytics
capabilities. With a new technology ecosystem emerging, Glass may have finally
found its home, and last month we heard news  that industrial companies, such as General
Motors, GE Aviation, Boeing and Volkswagen, have all been using the smart
glasses to help workers perform complex manual tasks.

Some of the key benefits highlighted by these
companies is that the device can increase the efficiency of technicians,
engineers and other workers in field service, maintenance and production line
roles. For example, Glass can show step-by step instructions, help workers to
choose the right tools, and photograph, record and report quality problems.

GE Aviation began trialling Glass at its
Cincinnati training facility to aid the repair of its GE90 jet engines and the
success of the pilot project has resulted in the technology rolling out into
other areas of production. It now helps to ensure that mechanics attach and
tighten bolts correctly as part of the assembly process, with the company
reporting efficiency improvements
between eight and 11 per cent. Data is able to provide instant quality control
and a digital trail of work that has been done on each jet engine.

A report by ABI Research
predicted a few years ago that smart glasses are set for significant enterprise
growth. So could Glass become a common sight on the manufacturing shop floor in
the Industry 4.0 world?

Successful applications
such as those mentioned are only going to boost interest and adoption. However,
before this can happen, an expanded software ecosystem that can solve real
world manufacturing problems such as the need for mobility and efficiency
pressures is required.

Google
says that it has spent the last two years working closely with a network of more
than 30 expert partners to
build customised software and business solutions for Glass. These range from
software that enhances the capabilities of hands-on workers to logistics
management and the analysis of real-time production line data.

The
smart factory of the future is one that is capable of delivering shorter
product runs, manufacturing more complex products, resulting in quicker
deliveries, improved supply chain visibility, and product traceability.
Seamless connectivity with cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions
help organisations to drive efficiency by managing diverse operational and
financial processes.

It’s
clear that Glass has enormous potential to integrate with these business
intelligence processes. For example, supply chain managers walking around the
plant wearing Glass will be able to get real-time data about different aspects
of the supply chain components and processes such as inventory and output per
unit.  They will be able to share this
information with other managers and suppliers, without the need to use
smartphones or emails.

Modern ERP solutions
extend manufacturing leadership and insight using powerful analytics. The
opportunity exists for these solutions to analyse real-time data direct from
smart wearable devices such as Glass, helping manufacturers to increase their
business agility, and enable strategic decision-making.

That’s because Industry
4.0 is all about making the best possible use of big data with advanced
analytics and human-machine interfaces. With the right data insight at hand,
managers can make better decisions on everything from stock control to supply
chain management.  Indeed, every corner
of the factory will be affected, and by making more informed decisions today,
companies can lay the foundations for the business growth of tomorrow.

Manufacturers should consider new wearable
technology as a way of embracing the forces of digital transformation. If
correctly deployed, the integration of this technology with existing processes
that provide insight into business operations can help drive value from
real-time data. It might just be that in a decade we will look back on Glass,
and other similar wearable devices, as turning points in the Industry 4.0 era.