Following a successful three-month pilot project to test the application of 3D smart glasses for in-plant logistics tasks at its plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, Volkswagen has now made the equipment standard across the plant.
Plant logistics personnel are using the smart technology glasses, which are provided by UbiMax, for order picking. The use of the technology is voluntary and workers are gradually being introduced to its use. Currently, 30 employees in various areas on the assembly line, including windshields or driveshafts, are working with the smart glasses.
Reinhard de Vries, head of plant logistics at Wolfsburg, said, "Digitalization is becoming increasingly important in production. The 3D smart glasses take cooperation between humans and systems to a new level."
According to VW, users automatically receive information, such as storage locations or part numbers, directly in their field of vision. The technology provides touch or voice control for easy operation and workers generally have both their hands free while they are working. The camera in the glasses is also used as a barcode reader. Correct barcodes on parts removed from the storage location are shown in green while parts incorrectly removed are shown in red.
"The benefits of new technology like the smart glasses can only be assessed effectively if we can check them out in normal production operation,” said Works Council member Mario Kurznack-Bodner. “The colleagues concerned approach the technology without any preconceived notions. Apart from health, safety and occupational medical criteria, it is important to the Works Council that feedback from employees should be taken up and reflected in everyday work."
