To many people, Augmented Reality is still a futuristic pipe dream. However, for companies across the world, AR is becoming a critical piece of their strategy. Canada is no exception, as companies in industries as diverse as entertainment, manufacturing, and energy embraced the power of AR for training, service maintenance, and remote expert guidance.
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Who Is Using AR?
Let’s start with some fun and games. In February 2022, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), the parent company of some of Canada’s most popular professional sports teams, announced an agreement to transform both team operations and fan experiences with a major investment in augmented reality technology. Eventually, AR will transform how MLSE’s teams play on the ice, court, pitch, or field; how players stay healthy; how fans connect with each other and experience games; and how sports franchises operate internally.
Canada’s cultural sector is also evaluating AR as a potential game-changer. Arts and culture make up nearly three percent of Canada’s GDP, but museums were closed for an average of 155 days in 2020 and suffered a 70% attendance drop from 2019 to 2021. These challenges drove museums to consider an alternative: digitalization of the cultural experience. AR is a critical component of transforming in-person experiences to a digital format. As technology advances and becomes more affordable and accessible, expect digital transformation to continue to make its way into the arts around the world.
AR is also exploding in industrial use cases. Vacuum pump manufacturer Leybold is approaching a five year mark of using augmented reality for maintenance, training, and service work. Over 130 Canadian startups are working in the AR space, and with added emphasis on working more efficiently, expect that number to grow. There are also more mature solutions available in the Canadian enterprise augmented reality, such as PTC’s Vuforia suite of solutions. From remote expert guidance to virtual training tools, AR promises to unlock untold possibilities in a number of industries. AR and VR tools are even being approved for use in healthcare, from laboratory training to virtual surgical and radiology assistance.
Is AR Right for My Company?
If you’re wondering if AR solutions could benefit you, consider if any of the following scenarios apply to your company:
- Facing a skills gap as knowledge leaves with retirees
- Adhering to strict safety and compliance regulations
- Pushing for faster turnaround to meet customer demand
- Trying to offset expensive training costs
- A lack of quality, step-by-step procedures for work tasks
- An increase in product types and/or process complexity
- Experienced workers spending countless hours training newcomers
- Increasing the productivity of new hires
- Reducing employee churn
If any of these frustrations sound familiar, AR work instructions could be your solution.
A widening skills gap plus outdated instruction material is a deadly combination. AR work instructions address both of these challenges—and many others.
Take the Next Step in Your Digital Transformation
A McKinsey & Company study looked at companies who not only survive but thrive during crisis. Two commonalities stood out: cutting-edge technologies and the ability to fill talent gaps. If this isn’t a clear sign that value-added AR is a solid investment, we’re not sure what is!
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