TOKYO, Nov 8, 2017 –
(JCN Newswire) – NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) today announced the development of
an Augmented Reality (AR) solution to assist users with the selection of items
through the use of smart glasses, a smart watch and new “ARmKeypad”(1)
functions. This solution enables users to perform tasks without having to look
away from objects, making it ideal for use in manufacturing, logistics and
other industries. Currently, NEC is carrying out demonstration tests at a
hospital pharmacy(2) and a manufacturing floor, where it has confirmed a
reduction in workplace errors and working time thanks to the assistance of the
new solution.

“In contrast to NEC’s original ARmKeypad, which created
a virtual selection screen on a user’s arm, the ‘eyes-free’ ARmKeypad in this
solution displays an input selection screen on a pair of smart glasses. As a
result, users can make selections simply by inclining and touching their arm,
which allows work to be completed without the need to look away from objects.
This is very helpful in workplaces where mistakes are likely to occur due to
eye movements or workplaces where working speed is required,” said Hiroshi
Kuzuno, General Manager, System Integration & Services Market Development
Division, NEC Corporation.

Pharmacy demonstration test


Overview of the “eyes-free” ARmKeypad

Features of the solution are described below:

1. Visualizes work procedures
The solution capitalizes on AR in order to display work
procedures on a pair of smart glasses, such as guiding users to the location of
objects stored on a shelf. This improves the efficiency of operations and
reduces mistakes, even for inexperienced workers and in workplaces where tasks
often change.

2. Allows “eyes-free” operation
The solution enables input operations to take place through
the accelerometer of a smart watch worn by users. Changes in the incline of a
user’s arm can be understood in order to select items from a menu screen
displayed on a pair of smart glasses. Finger contact with the arm can also be
used to make selections. This allows for confirmation and registration to take
place without looking away from an object.

NEC is carrying out demonstration tests of this solution at a
hospital pharmacy and a manufacturing floor, where it has confirmed a reduction
in workplace errors and working time.

1) Demonstration test at a hospital pharmacy
NEC is conducting a demonstration test aimed at preventing
work errors when selecting drugs in a hospital pharmacy. The system reads
barcodes on prescriptions with a camera on the glasses, displays a drug
selection list on the glasses, and provides guidance about which drug on which
shelf is to be selected. This is done using AR when the operator looks at the
medicine cabinet. As a user of the solution picks up a drug, they are able to
confirm and register the item by inclining their arm. This has confirmed that
selection errors could be reduced to virtually zero. Using conventional
methods, approximately five errors are assumed per 300 operations daily(3).

2) Demonstration test at a manufacturing floor
A demonstration test is being conducted at NEC Networks &
System Integration Corporation in order to ensure efficient management of
equipment. The solution assists in locating equipment from cabinets where it is
temporarily stored using an AR guidance display. The demonstration test
confirmed that work time could be reduced by 18.2% when compared to
conventional methods.

Notes:
(1) NEC develops new user interface that turns arm into
virtual keyboard
http://www.nec.com/en/press/201511/global_20151105_04.html
(2) The system built for verification is not certified as
medical equipment
(3) The technical verification was carried out in a limited
environment, and the number of errors is an estimation based on measured values.
Before providing drugs, multiple confirmations are conducted. The number does
not represent cases of actual medication errors.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is a leader in the integration of IT and
network technologies that benefit businesses and people around the world. By
providing a combination of products and solutions that cross utilize the
company’s experience and global resources, NEC’s advanced technologies meet the
complex and ever-changing needs of its customers. NEC brings more than 100
years of expertise in technological innovation to empower people, businesses
and society. For more information, visit NEC at http://www.nec.com.

Based on its Mid-term Management Plan 2015, the NEC Group
globally provides “Solutions for Society” that promote the safety,
security, efficiency and equality of society. Under the company’s corporate
message of “Orchestrating a brighter world,” NEC aims to help solve a
wide range of challenging issues and to create new social value for the
changing world of tomorrow. For more information, please visit http://www.nec.com/en/global/about/solutionsforsociety/message.html.