What is the Augmented Connected Workforce?

Augmented technologies, including Augmented Reality, have transformed the relationship between humans and technology. They have created an augmented connected workforce, bringing numerous benefits to organizations while also presenting several challenges that must be faced and addressed to harness their maximum power.

This article provides an overview of the Augmented connected workforce, detailing the use cases of AR and other key technologies, along with the key benefits and challenges associated with this concept.

Overview of Augmented Connected Workforce

The ‘Augmented Connected Workforce’ concept integrates augmentation technologies into the work environments, empowering employees to improve their capabilities and productivity and enhance overall business processes and operations. Some prominent augmented technologies used in this concept include:

• Augmented reality  (AR)
• Mixed reality (MR)
• Computer vision
• The Internet of Things (IoT)
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Exoskeletons
• Connected worker platforms
• Collaborative robots 

Many software or hardware leveraging these augmented technologies and real-time data have been developed, creating connected workers or augmented workers in the future in many industries. For example, augmented technologies are highly used in manufacturing to automate industrial operations and improve operational efficiency. The use of augmented technologies has not only improved productivity but also contributed to innovative problem-solving and decision-making approaches. Augmented Connected Workforce has recently been named a top 10 Strategic Technology Trends for 2024 by Gartner.

The Role of Augmented Reality in Augmented Connected Workforce

AR is a fundamental technology used in the Augmented Connected Workforce concept, which enables interaction with the user's perception of the real world, overlaying digital information onto it. This digital content is fed using devices such as mobile phones, tablets, AR glasses, and headsets. Following are some ways AR technology is used to create an augmented connected workforce. 

Remote Collaboration

Through AR devices such as mobile phones and AR glasses, users can interact with a remote expert from a distance to help them through the tasks or provide instructions as if they were on-site. For example, the Splunk AR 3D environment scanner is an augmented device where users can initiate a remote collaboration with an expert OR an onsite worker and virtually 'walk' alongside the worker in their actual environment.

Also, AR supports remote troubleshooting and visually guides users through diagnostic and repair processes. It enables support workers to provide real-time,  step-by-step instructions and virtually point out specific issues, improving their accuracy.

Workflow Automation

AR has enabled providing visual, step-by-step instructions and creating guided workflows for employees in a specific field. From this, organizations can optimize their task completion. Such a system also enables tracking and collecting data on completed tasks, helping quickly address any issues. Then, organizations can use the insights gained from this data to refine their processes and enhance overall efficiency. 

Monitoring Data Center Facilities

AR effectively monitors data center facilities, providing real-time visualizations of system performance. For example, technicians can virtually view the data center statistics, such as performance statistics and temperature readings, to understand any possible outages. This capability helps reduce the response times for power outages and improve maintenance processes.

Providing Interactive Training and Education

AR enables conducting remote training sessions for the workforce by providing virtual instructions without employees having to attend physically in the training space. From this, trainers can guide the employees virtually through complex procedures or tasks and provide valuable feedback to make the sessions more interactive.

Virtual Workspaces

Remote teams can now collaborate with the help of VR workspaces, providing a real-time in-house meeting experience. Several technologies have been developed for immersive meetings, including virtual whiteboards, note-taking facilities, and document sharing. Also, AR is used to visualize 3D project designs in architecture, design, and engineering so remote teams can easily collaborate on complex projects. Explore the differences between AR and VR.

The Role of IoT in Augmented Connected Workforce

IoT also plays a vital role in the Augmented Connected Workforce concept, helping to gather data from smart connected devices. Following are some key use cases of IoT in realizing this concept.

Monitoring & maintenance

Data from IoT devices, such as sensors and machinery on manufacturing floors, helps the workforce to monitor their performance. These data are analyzed to identify predictive maintenance needs, preventing equipment failures and costs associated with unplanned repairs.

In addition, wearable IoT devices like smartwatches are used to monitor the health and safety of workers. For example, such devices help workers stay connected in manufacturing or construction sites and warn of potential hazards or health issues.

Communication & connectivity

By connecting various devices and systems within a workplace, IoT enables seamless communication. This connectivity allows information is flow within the work environments flawlessly, facilitating smoother operations and decision-making processes.

Additional augmented technologies

Many other augmented technologies are integrated to provide a more connected working experience. 

Connected worker platforms

Connected worker platforms integrate with various augmented technologies like AI, IoT, and AR. These platforms make data from various sources accessible in a central location. Apart from facilitating important tasks like remote collaboration, workflow automation, training, and education, these platforms can be leveraged to generate innovative ideas.

For example, some companies have developed connected worker platforms to capture improvement ideas from workers, empowering frontline workers to continuously help improve th business processes. 

Mixed Reality (MR)

Mixed reality integrates real and virtual environments, allowing physical and virtual objects to coexist. MR is used in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, architecture, and healthcare to create more realistic training environments for workers. Employees can interact with virtual equipment and trainers as real physical objects.

For example, in engineering and architecture disciplines, MR is used to build and interact with virtual 3D prototypes. Employees can walk around it and make necessary modifications in real-time, making the design process faster. 

Exoskeletons

Exoskeletons are special kits that help operators in industries like manufacturing and logistics. It helps improve employees' physical safety and capabilities, providing strength and support for physically demanding tasks. For example, exoskeletons help workers lift heavy objects in logistics and manufacturing chains, reducing the risk of injuries.

Collaborative robots

Collaborative robots or ‘cobots’ are used in manufacturing and warehouses, working alongside humans and transforming how human workers work. Unlike traditional robots, these robots are easy to program and human-friendly.

They harness the power of AI and machine learning, helping human workers to make quick decisions. For example, cobots assist staff in handling several tasks more efficiently in just one visit to the warehouse floor. Additionally, as these robots guide employees through various tasks, they significantly reduce the chances of human errors.

Benefits of an Augmented Connected Workforce

Creating an augmented connected workforce brings several benefits for both businesses and employees. Let’s see what are the key benefits of this concept.

Improved business and employee efficiency. This concept helps automate routine tasks, reducing the time required for manual operations. Also, AR provides workers immediate access to the required information so they do not have to spend additional time searching for them.

Improved safety and well-being of employees. Real-time alerts and safety information provided through AR technologies help several industries to efficiently manage risks. As a result, they can reduce accidents and potential hazards.

Improved communication and collaboration. Virtual workspaces, remote workflow automation, and collaboration facilitate better employee communication and collaboration.   

Enabling remote working. Employees can connect with the work environment with AR and IoT technologies and perform tasks even if they are not in the office. This capability immensely helps to overcome challenges during travel restrictions are in place. Therefore, it helps create a more inclusive and accessible work environment.

Improved accuracy and precision of jobs. Remote collaboration allows guided tasks with visual cues. Thus, mistakes associated with such tasks can be reduced.

Challenges of implementing Augmented Connected Workforce

Despite several benefits the Augmented Connected Workforce brings to organizations, several challenges must be overcome to make its integration successful.

Cost of implementation. The initial costs associated with integrating augmentation technologies are usually high. Companies must bear installation, training, and ongoing training costs. If they need custom-built apps, additional costs will be incurred.

Integration complexities. Organizations’ existing infrastructure must support integrating augmented technologies. If there is a lack of support, organizations must ensure they upgrade their existing systems, which can lead to additional implementation costs.

Lack of technological skills. Handling augmented tools and technologies requires special training. Such skill gaps may stop companies from adopting them, or they may be required to upskill their workforce and provide guidance on using them.

Regulatory challenges. Any technology must be compliant with industry legal and compliance requirements. Augmented technologies can raise privacy and data security issues because real-time data is fed into systems. Thus, organizations must ensure relevant policies are established to maintain compliance.

Ethical considerations. For instance, AI might inadvertently create biases, potentially resulting in unequal treatment of employees based on their gender, race, or other personal attributes. Also, an augmented workforce can create concerns about job displacement, making some human skills obsolete. 

Conclusion

The augmented connected workforce is the concept that leverages augmented technologies to improve workplace efficiency and productivity. As described in this article, AR plays a significant role in many use cases, including remote collaboration and workflow automation. Other technologies are also helping to realize this concept, including MR, AI, collaborative robots, and exoskeletons. By leveraging this concept, organizations can benefit in several ways. Also, there are several challenges, including costs, regulatory and ethical challenges, and the need for required skills.