In contemporary industrial settings, the dual objectives of ensuring worker safety and maintaining operational efficiency stand as paramount priorities. Several companies have been actively developing solutions to address these imperatives, resulting in the emergence of new technologies such as remote assistance, hands-free barcode scanning, wearable sensors, and smart headsets, either as individual solutions or in combination.
The evolution of smart headsets in recent years has been particularly notable, with major global players like Apple, Meta, Microsoft, pushing the boundaries of innovation. Less known to the general audience, but industrially important Iristick and ECOM Instruments/Pepperl+Fuchas are not far behind. While consumer-oriented offerings like Apple’s Vision Pro and Meta’s focus on the metaverse primarily target entertainment and personal use, industrial-grade solutions such as Microsoft’s HoloLens 2 and Visor-Ex® 01 cater specifically to business and industrial applications, emphasising safety and efficiency in hazardous work environments.
The Visor-Ex® 01 smart safety glasses, developed jointly by Iristick and ECOM Instruments/Pepperl+Fuchas, have quickly gained traction since their launch in mid-2022. Engineered to meet the unique challenges of hazardous areas, these industrial-grade head-mounted smart glasses prioritise safety with ATEX/IECEX Zone 1, DIVISION 1 certification. Featuring dual central cameras, powerful optical zoom lenses, and a stable, 3-axis adjustable display, the Visor-Ex® 01 facilitates hands-free communication and real-time information access through Informed Reality capabilities.
A standout feature of the Visor-Ex® 01 is its hands-free barcode scanning functionality, seamlessly integrated with intuitive voice commands. This capability enables workers to efficiently scan items such as products and inventory, streamlining processes and enhancing inventory management. Moreover, the smart glasses extend their utility beyond barcode scanning to support digital workflow operations, facilitating the identification of cases, machines, procedures, and more. This versatility empowers workers to execute tasks with precision and efficiency, thereby boosting overall productivity.
Complementing the hardware advancements are sophisticated software solutions like Wideum’s Remote Eye software. With ISO 27001 certification and secure AWS servers located in the EU, Remote Eye ensures robust data protection and privacy for users. The software’s remote assistance feature enables experts to remotely connect with device users, offering guidance and support during complex tasks. By minimising the need for onsite interventions, Remote Eye not only enhances efficiency but also improves safety outcomes in industrial environments.
In summary, industrial-grade smart headsets like the Visor-Ex® 01 represent a significant advancement in workplace safety and efficiency. By integrating cutting-edge hardware features with powerful software solutions, these devices empower workers to perform tasks with heightened precision, effectiveness, and safety. As industries continue to embrace wearable technologies, the transformative potential of smart headsets in revolutionising industrial operations becomes increasingly evident, paving the way for a safer, more productive future.
We see the chemical industry benefiting from this technology in several ways. Using this technology, workers may be able to detect a hazardous chemical in the area or might be able to locate chemicals and verify whether they are stored at the right location or not. It can also be used in several ways to prevent chemical mishandling and hazards. It will be interesting to see how all the industries leverage this technology to their benefit.
Sources
https://iristick.com/uploads/files/IRI-spec-sheet-Iristick.G2-92021-EU-industry_2021-10-27-090002_kbio.pdf
https://photonsystems.com/products/hand-held/
https://www.azosensors.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=2460
