WizARd
Knowledge networking and collaboration through augmented reality in production-related services
Context
The use of technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) has great potential to revolutionize the production and service sectors. In core industries such as energy technology or logistics, the use of augmented reality can specifically support employees in production-related service provision and thus increase the effectiveness and efficiency of processes. AR/VR can, for example, not only save travel costs and working time in global collaborations, but also facilitate exchange between partners. Furthermore, AR/VR can support employees in daily tasks such as production or maintenance of machines by providing instructions or documenting work processes with the help of the technology. However, due to knowledge and technology barriers, the diffusion of AR/VR in these application domains is still severely limited. This is where the WizARd research project comes in.
Aim of the project
The goal of the WizARd research project is to make smart services accessible with the help of AR/VR. The main aim is to facilitate knowledge networking and collaboration in companies through the use of AR and VR. With the help of the digitization assistant WizARd, companies are supported in their digitization projects and accompanied step by step through the digitization process. The wizard provides information about potential AR/VR use cases and best practice guidance. It also offers web tools for process modeling and for creating AR/VR applications, which companies can use to quickly and easily create AR/VR applications for internal processes themselves. The use of the modeling language enables companies to assess potential for digital services, design solutions and configure them without technical expertise. In this way, the digitization wizard is intended to make it easier for small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to introduce AR/VR in the company.
Project approach
The WizARd research project uses user-oriented research methods. By involving practical partners from the energy technology and logistics sectors, the aim is to develop a solution that is as close to practice as possible. The first project phase provides for an exploration of the application fields of AR/VR through the innovation method Design Thinking. Based on requirements analyses using logistics and energy technology as examples, use cases for the application of AR and VR will be identified in collaborative workshops between universities and practice partners. In the second project phase, these use cases will be concretized and innovative solutions for the application of augmented reality in service-related processes will be developed iteratively. It is suitable to subsequently integrate these solutions bundled into the concept of the digitization assistant WizARd.
Project partners
- Universität Hamburg, Fachbereich Informatik, Human-Computer Interaction
- Universität Hamburg, Fachbereich Informatik, IT-Management & -Consulting
- TU Dortmund, Lehrstuhl Digitale Transformation
- RE'FLEKT GmbH
- Hamburg Port Authority AöR
- Orcan Energy AG
Contact
Funding
The research and development project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) in the program "Internetbasierte Dienstleistungen für komplexe Produkte, Produktionsprozesse und –anlagen (Smart Services)" and supervised by the Projektträger Karlsruhe (PTKA).