Smart Glasses – Opportunities arising from the covid crisis

Blonde man with smart glasses at work

Innovation | trends of technology | 

Smart Glasses are no longer a radical innovation. Since the market was opened by the " Google Glass" in 2014 the data glasses, which make it possible to dive into an audio-visual world, is known to everyone. At thyssenkrupp rothe erde the technology has also been used for remote support since 2019.

A black hood with smart glasses placed on a large-diameter bearing.

They are small, handy and offer maximum freedom of movement. Smart Glasses, or data glasses, are small portable computers in the form of glasses that can add information to the user’s field of vision. Data glasses are currently used primarily in logistics and product commissioning. During use, HD image recordings, videos and audio can be exchanged live and in real time via a worldwide and secure server.

Smart Glasses, or data glasses, are small portable computers in the form of glasses that can add information to the user’s field of vision.

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Not on site and yet on the job

Smart Glasses, for example, can be used to connect experts from the company directly with the technicians on site, so that if a problem arises, they can work together on a solution without being physically on site together. Neither of them has to give up freedom of movement, because the Smart Glasses are worn like glasses, so that other activities can be carried out with the hands. In addition to such live streams, documents such as PDF files, CAD/CAM drawings or tutorial videos can also be shared using the glasses.

This enables the support of the ramp-up of production processes, as well as the commissioning of machines worldwide. Especially in the current restricted mobility and contact situation caused by Corona, the possibility to continue to support the customer efficiently by using Smart Glasses is highly appreciated.

Young man, wearing a thyssenkrupp t-shirt, is at work with smart glasses
Employee at thyssenkrupp rothe erde using the Smart Glasses.

Crisis situations contain innovation potential

Joseph Schumpeter already described the fact that crisis situations have a special potential for innovation in his theory of economic development. It is precisely in phases in which people are forced by changing circumstances to develop and push ahead quickly with problem solutions, that people become creative. The corona crisis at thyssenkrupp rothe erde also accelerated these development processes.

Thus, the range of applications has been extended from the originally pure remote support for production processes to the acceptance of stock by the customer via Smart Glasses and live transmission. Thanks to web-based component approval, as well as integrated and automated real-time documentation, this is now possible. Customers can now check the quality and accuracy of the finished products via Smart Glasses, so that they can be delivered to the customer afterwards.

Less CO2 thanks to innovative technology

The use of Smart Glasses not only overcomes barriers caused by corona. The fact that employees no longer have to make long journeys for product approval, saves travel costs and thus reduces CO2 emissions. The same applies, of course, to customers, who can now accept the products from their desks.

The time saved ensures the availability of employees in the plants on site and shortens reaction times. Time and effort for setting up and dismantling the bearings up to customer acceptance can also be minimized. For this reason, thyssenkrupp rothe erde intends to expand the use of Smart Glasses to further areas of application in the future.