Exploring AR as a way to advance manufacturing

According to researchers at Flinders University, factory workers of the future will rely on training and support from Industry 4.0 technology, such as augmented reality head-mounted display modules (AR-HMD), to manage workflow and remote troubleshooting.

Trials of such AR-HMD technologies to improve productivity by reducing and correcting errors in advanced manufacturing and assembly will improve software, tracking and other promising features of such devices, according to a new online article published in the journal Ergonomics.

“Despite Industry 4.0 technology adoption being promoted to stimulate manufacturing flexibility and competitiveness, Australia has been slow to adopt it,” said first author Dr Valerie O’Keeffe, a Senior Researcher in Human Factors at Flinders University’s College of Business, Government and Law. “The Australian Navy Hunter Class Frigate Program provides an opportunity for accelerating technology adoption to improve productivity and workforce skills in a traditional, complex and vital industry. Augmented reality head-mounted displays provide digital information directly to the user and can be used to guide completion of work tasks.”

To understand shipbuilders’ user experience and workload, the research case study focused on the Hololens 2 AR headset in a simulated manufacturing workflow. This involved multiple tasks (electrical assembly, inspection and quality assurance) with a collaborative robot fitted with a visual inspection camera.

The study took place at the Osborne Naval Shipyard with the support of industry partner BAE Systems Maritime Australia.

Dr O’Keeffe said the study highlights AR-HMD as a potential vehicle for integrating advanced technologies, improving functionality while minimising end-user burden.

“This is valuable for fast-tracking learning and building skill levels in a workforce experiencing skilled labour shortages,” she said. “Interface design, tracking, gesturing and device durability were most likely to limit AR-HMD adoption and require improvement to ensure efficient uptake in operations. However, our findings suggest encouraging levels of technology acceptance and motivation in the workforce, with potential to promote learning and productivity.

“The findings can inform technology adoption, and the knowledge can be translated to heavy industries beyond shipbuilding.”

This study is one part of a broader project funded by the Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Innovative Manufacturing CRC) in collaboration with BAE Systems Australia Maritime, which aims to de-risk and accelerate the uptake and diffusion of Industry 4.0 technology into the shipyard and its manufacturing supply chain to promote sovereign capability.

The study was part of the program of research conducted under the Innovative Manufacturing Collaborative Research Centre (IMCRC) funded project ‘Accelerating the Uptake and Diffusion of Innovative Manufacturing Technologies in Australian Shipbuilding and Supply Chain: The Human Factors’.

Top image: Flinders University graduate Kosta Manning, Project Engineer (Robotics and Automation), demonstrates the Hololens used in the human factors research trials.