Asahi augments reality

Global giant Asahi Beverages is trialling the use of augmented reality glasses to allow almost-instant access to technical support when production equipment breaks down in remote locations.

Previously, technical specialists would often need to fly out to fix remote issues – a big delay, and an expensive one, for any company.

Using AR, however, local operators supply the eyes and the physical presence, with specialist expertise supplied remotely.

One of the company’s labelling experts says he uses the technology to share his knowledge to other locations.

“I’ve been in bottling for 30 years, and the amount of times I’ve seen long dragged out breakdowns for a simple thing, through lack of knowledge, or through miscommunication.

“The money wasted because of those breakdowns is massive, and with something like this, if you could even halve that, it would pay for itself,” he says.

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