Dive Brief:
- Vuzix, a Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology supplier, has teamed with H-E-B, a major U.S. grocery company to pilot Vuzix Basics Video (VBV) glasses within the company's manufacturing operations, according to a company press release.
- The model in use at H-E-B is the M300, known for strong audio and noise cancellation excellence. Employing augmented reality on the plant floor allows H-E-B to provide faster technical education and knowledge transfer abilities.
- The M300 is believed to offer speedy ROI and easy deployment for users.
Dive Insight:
Artificial intelligence is proving its worth in warehouses and distribution centers.
The most successful use cases of AI in warehouses are those that work in harmony with humans, either supporting picking and object recognition, or robots carrying baskets full of objects picked by humans through the numerous corridors to the central packing station for shipment.
Workers given AI or VR-enabled technology are more likely to adapt to quick training, thanks to the ability to visualize the tasks or challenges ahead.
While in warehouses, employees can "see" areas of challenge or methods of operation in advance, and even 3PLs like UPS are finding use for the technology, by requiring students to wear VR -enabled headsets that display road hazards in a 360-degree display.
Thanks to programming flexibility, both AI and VR are replacing touchscreens and traditional classroom training methods. The result could be a safer, more efficient workplace.
