Imagining Tomorrow's Workplace IV: Augmented Reality

By Desiree Yang Technological advancements have led to the birth of amazing inventions like the Google Glass, the world’s first ever smart eyewear that opened the door to augmented reality for the masses. SeeSpace’s InAir allows web content to be projected in the space in front of televisions, allowing viewers to watch programmes while simultaneously perusing other content. And early in May this year, a BBC News article featured ongoing trials that are currently being conducted in a mock-up factory in Munich, Germany to assess the ability of augmented reality to help workers perform their everyday tasks. Tuong Huy Nguyen, principal research analyst at Gartner, defines augmented reality as “the real-time use of information in the form of text, graphics, audio and other virtual enhancements integrated with real-world objects”. While its roots can be traced back to 1990 as part of a neural systems project at Boeing by Professor Tom Caudell, augmented reality remains a relatively new concept to many. However, that might just be about to change. Products like Google Glass, InAir and the Munich trials have plucked augmented reality from the realm of science fiction and placed it firmly in reality. Augmented reality does have the potential to revolutionise the workplace as we know it – and here’s how. Complements and Enhances Businesses Whether it’s in the area of business, workflow processes, or even employee training, augmented reality can complement and enhance businesses by providing hands-on experience and real-time access to data. It has the potential to simplify current processes, increase the amount of viewable information, offer new ways to visualise problems and solutions, and enhance collaboration and communication. This will prove to be especially useful for those working in mobile environments or industries that require employees to be in the field – where implements that augment reality can provide valuable additional information and leave them free to focus on the task at hand. Using the mock-up factory in Munich as an example – where employees utilised a combination of Google Glass and software – to illustrate this, employees who worked as pickers were able to move products around the warehouse for shipping or storage without having to manually refer to a clipboard. Similarly, Google Glass helped service managers identify faulty equipment in the factory and then provided them with step-by-step instructions on how to fix the equipment. In addition, research also showed that the implementation of such a system in a workplace helped reduce errors by 40 per cent and increase employees’ efficiency by 10 per cent. In white-collar offices, workers could also benefit from Google Glass and computer monitors with complementary, floating displays which help them to work better and more efficiently. Augmented reality could help with project management and employee training, in addition to helping organisations bridge the gap between the digital and physical world. Not Without Drawbacks However, critics highlight that augmented reality could potentially reduce employees’ roles and functions in the company to the rote taking of instructions from a piece of smart eyewear. Employees could become too dependent on digital assistance and their ability to exercise their own discernment and judgement could suffer. In addition, companies might have unrealistic expectations of employees’ efficiency levels following the adoption of an augmented reality system, as seen with the disputes that have arisen between Amazon and its employee unions. Ultimately, companies need to have clear goals in mind when adopting an augmented reality system, while at the same time recognising that such a system will not turn their staff into super employees. Augmented reality is here to stay – if current development continues apace, it will soon become an important and exciting workplace tool for many! Do you see augmented reality coming to your workplace? Share with us in the comment box below! The JobsCentral Group, a CareerBuilder company, is the owner of JobsCentral.com.sg, one of Singapore's largest job and learning portals. Get a free career personality test and more career- and education-related articles at JobsCentral and JobsCentral Community. Alternatively, Like us on JobsCentral Facebook Page or Follow JobsCentral on Twitter for more career-centric content!