Augmented Reality to Debut on GE’s Factory Floors
General Electric Corp. says it plans to roll out augmented reality in the supply chains of three business divisions next year. The company says the technology, which superimposes computer-generated images onto a factory floor worker’s view of the real world through a mobile device, will help in assembling complex machinery components.
By January 2017 workers at a GE Oil & Gas turbomachinery facility in Florence, Italy will be using AR that superimposes visuals needed to collect dozens of precise measurements in the manufacturing of gas turbine nozzles. The AR technology — a series of sensors, software and tablets with cameras — is expected to then be applied in similar ways in factories at GE’s Power and Aviation businesses later next year.
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About 14.4 million U.S. workers will wear smart glasses in 2025, up from 400,000 this year, according to Forrester Research Inc. Enterprises will spend $3.6 billion on smart glasses in 2025, up from $6 million in 2016.
Because safety regulations make it challenging for workers to use AR smart glasses in GE factories, Dr. Bellucci will have workers place a computer tablet on a stand over the nozzle, which will superimpose visuals such as highlighted areas and dots.