Problem
Augmented Reality (AR) technology, which overlays digital information into the real world, has the potential to revolutionize on-the-job assembly training. By providing real-time, interactive instructions and visual guidance, AR can significantly enhance learning efficiency and accuracy. This is particularly beneficial for complex assembly tasks that require precise alignment, component identification, and adherence to specific procedures. At the same time, AR is a relatively new and immature technology that requires in-depth studies to offer effective assembly aid. To that end, many prior studies investigated real-time assembly instructions using AR. However, most such experiments were conducted in laboratory settings with simplistic assembly tasks, failing to accurately represent real-world industrial conditions.
Solution
To evaluate the practical effectiveness of AR-guided assembly training in real-world industrial settings, we collaborated with Make UK, a prominent manufacturing organisation across the country. The study, conducted at their Birmingham facilities, involved 32 manufacturing apprentices tasked with completing the manual assembly of engineering assets in both a controlled classroom and a live industrial workshop environment. To facilitate the study,
We designed and developed AR-guided manual assembly systems tailored to various levels of assets' complexity. Our findings revealed a significant improvement in task performance within the industrial workshop, characterised by faster completion times, reduced errors, and a subjectively enhanced sense of flow. This outcome contradicted participants' initial expectations, as they anticipated superior performance in the classroom environment. Our results underscore the importance of evaluating AR systems within actual manufacturing contexts to accurately assess their potential benefits for industrial applications.