An important innovative development
Manual visualization with Augmented Reality
Manual visualization with Augmented Reality
In today’s era, traditional manuals are becoming increasingly digitized. Since the rise of digital media, the paper manual has increasingly become an obstacle for anyone who takes usability, the environment or cost savings seriously. One of the most innovative developments in this area is Augmented Reality (AR). Augmented Reality offers the ability to integrate virtual elements into the real world, making it a powerful tool for visualizing manuals.
Interactive learning and training
Augmented reality brings the paper manual to life with interactive elements. Users can easily grab the manual with a phone or AR headset and visualize the elements in their physical environment. It is even more powerful when the instructions are in the right positions with a 3D model of a product or machine. They then no longer have to read long texts in the paper manual. These elements can be text blocks, animations, instructions or videos. By interacting with these elements, users can follow the instructions step by step with visual support. As a result, they are more likely to understand steps better and faster.
The right information in the right place
One of the disadvantages of a paper manual is searching for the right instructions. To find the right information to a part, you spend a long time browsing until you find the right information. Instead of reading a long text, augmented reality allows users to visually understand each part of the manual. By providing visual cues such as arrows, text labels or even simulated movements, users can follow and understand the necessary steps more easily.
Location-independent and multilingual
Currently, products such as commercial machinery, vehicles and other complex products that require maintenance require the presence of a trained technician. This is especially true for installation and maintenance tasks. When a company needs to send a technician to install or maintain a machine, the technician must:
- travel to the customer,
- staying in a hotel,
- installing the machine,
- training the customer’s staff in its use, and then
- traveling back.
Fortunately, AR offers new opportunities to perform these tasks in a safer and more efficient way than traditional paper-based alternatives. For example, manufacturers can add instructions and visual elements to the 3D model of a product or machine. These instructions, in turn, are visualized by mechanics.
AR manuals can also provide multilingual support. While virtual elements are projected into the real world, users can view instructions in their preferred language. This opens the door to global accessibility and makes it easier for users of different nationalities to understand and follow the manual.
Want to know more about the opportunities and developments around AR manuals for machines? Read the blog: ‘New machine regulations offer opportunities for digital user manuals‘.
Getting started with AR manuals yourself?
We have developed the ILC platform that allows you to create an AR manual independently. Adding the appropriate instructions and elements can be done through an online editor. In the online editor, instructions are added to the 3D/CAD model of a product or machine. A particular part is selected in the editor and the instructions are placed in the right place. Not only the company itself can add instructions, but also the manufacturer can place instructions in the correct order in the online editor. In this way, variations of machines or products can easily be put together.
It is important to think carefully about the purpose of your AR manual. We are happy to think about this with you. Total Reality is an expert in the field of augmented reality and improving industrial business processes. We have experience in using AR for manuals. You can schedule an appointment with us to explore the possibilities and come up with a suitable solution for your company.