Augmented Reality Glasses for Assembly Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In assembly environments, the process is often monotonous for workers, and issues can halt production, requiring on-site engineers for resolution, leading to delays if they are not present.
Innovation Solution
The use of augmented reality glasses to provide assembly instructions and assistance, allowing workers to identify parts and receive guidance through AR data, enabling remote expert intervention and improving efficiency by presenting necessary information directly in the worker's field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional assembly training and on-site engineer support are used, then assembly accuracy and problem resolution quality are maintained, but assembly speed decreases and production delays occur when engineers are not immediately available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the expert engineer within the worker's field of view through AR glasses. The remote expert's video feed, annotations, and guidance are superimposed onto the worker's real-world view, allowing the worker to see and interact with the expert as if they were physically present. This copying principle enables accurate problem resolution without requiring the actual engineer to travel to the assembly location, thereby maintaining assembly accuracy while preventing production delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The AR glasses system acts as an intermediary between the remote expert and the worker. The glasses capture the worker's perspective, transmit it to the remote expert, and relay the expert's guidance back to the worker in real-time. This intermediary system enables seamless communication and collaboration without requiring physical presence, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high-quality problem resolution and maintaining assembly speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive training is provided to workers, then assembly quality and problem-solving skills improve, but training time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables workers to access expert knowledge on-demand without requiring extensive formal training. When problems arise, workers can activate the AR system and receive real-time guidance from remote experts, allowing them to self-resolve issues that would traditionally require trained engineers. This shifts the knowledge transfer from centralized training to distributed, just-in-time support, reducing training time while maintaining assembly quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes connectivity to remote experts and prepares the AR interface in advance, so that when assembly problems occur, workers can immediately access expert guidance without delay. The infrastructure for expert support is set up beforehand, allowing workers to receive high-quality problem resolution assistance on-demand rather than requiring them to have all knowledge pre-loaded through extensive training.
3Loss of time
If on-site engineers are always available for problem resolution, then assembly problems are resolved quickly, but labor costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AR system serves multiple functions: it provides real-time expert guidance, captures assembly data, enables remote monitoring, and facilitates communication between workers and engineers. This single multi-functional system replaces the need for multiple specialized roles and processes, reducing operational complexity while maintaining quick problem resolution capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical engineer presence with an electronic/digital system. Instead of engineers physically traveling to assembly locations, the system uses video transmission, digital communication, and AR visualization to deliver expert guidance remotely. This substitution eliminates the need for complex logistics of engineer deployment while maintaining rapid problem resolution.
4Manufacturing precision
If workers have access to detailed assembly instructions and expert support, then assembly accuracy improves, but information overload and distraction from the assembly task may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The AR system displays information with local quality by showing guidance only in relevant areas of the worker's field of view. Instead of overwhelming the worker with all possible information, the system selectively presents instructions and expert annotations specifically related to the current assembly task and immediate surroundings. This localized information delivery maintains assembly accuracy while preventing distraction and preserving worker convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by providing information selectively rather than continuously. Expert guidance and assembly instructions are displayed only when relevant to the current task step or when problems are detected, rather than constantly overwhelming the worker with all possible information. This partial information delivery maintains accuracy while avoiding distraction.
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems and methods for providing augmented reality information to workers to assist the workers in assembly of objects, such as aerial vehicles. An object or parts of an object may be determined by processing of image data corresponding to a field of view of a pair of augmented reality glasses worn by a worker to determine an object or a part corresponding to an object that is to be assembled by the worker. Based on the determined object and/or part, augmented reality information corresponding to an assembly task may be determined and visually presented to the worker to aid the worker in completion of the assembly task. The augmented reality information may be visually presented by the augmented reality glasses such that the worker can view the augmented reality information and the object or parts concurrently.