Subscribe

Apr 4, 2020

5 tips on how AR smart glasses increase employee satisfaction

  • Empower frontline workers
    • Insights overview

    Employee satisfaction is an important factor for successful operations. Satisfied employees work more productively, are sick less frequently and have a stronger emotional bond with the company. So, there are many reasons to invest in this area. Various studies show that new technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and smart glasses improve satisfaction at the workplace. We show how this can be achieved in five tips:

    1. SMART GLASSES IMPROVE WORKING ERGONOMICS

    Smart glasses allow working with both hands throughout. Tablets or notebooks no longer need to be held in the arm. This takes the strain off many tasks and prevents incorrect posture. Imbalanced strains and joint wear due to permanent one-sided holding of scanners and repetitive movements are avoided. The workflows themselves are structured and often simplified. Unnecessary steps are eliminated.

    2. INCREASE OF OCCUPATIONAL SECURITY

    The ability to use both hands is a major security advantage of smart glasses. For example, it is a lot safer for a logistics worker to climb a ladder using both hands instead of operating a hand scanner in elevated positions. In addition, warnings about ergonomically questionable situations, for example when unhandy or heavy parts need to be handled as it is often the case in industrial environments, can be displayed directly on the glasses. The punctual display of safety instructions can also reduce the potential of injury in high-risk occupational fields, utilities, or in production through the targeted use of AR devices. Step-by-step instructions increase security by indicating temporary prohibited zones, e.g. for tests in laboratories, or notes on hygiene regulations.

    3. WORK FACILITATION THROUGH EXPERT CALLS AND REDUCED TRAVEL ACTIVITIES

    Smart glasses enable global collaboration across distances and time zones. In case of problems, experts can easily be consulted via video call on the smart glasses. The expert sees exactly what the employee sees while the employee continues to work hands-free. Collaboration through remote support enables remote training of employees and saves money by reducing the travel expenses of experts. They do not have to travel at short notice but can help their colleagues on site from their own desks. Global collaboration also increases the feeling of belonging and team spirit.

    4. ALL AGE GROUPS BENEFIT FROM THE USE OF SMART GLASSES

    The use of smart glasses does not only delight young, technology-oriented employees. Older employees also benefit from them. For example, heavy, unwieldy scanners are no longer needed for order picking which makes work easier on the one hand and helps workers achieve their targets faster on the other. Furthermore, smart glasses simplify the inclusion of handicapped workers. The possibility to show instructions step-by-step at the employee’s pace and to carry out a subsequent quality control allows them to participate fully in working life.

    5. QUICK ONBOARDING DUE TO EASIER KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER

    Onboarding training is simplified due to smart glasses. Step-by-step instructions, automatic quality checks, help and expert support enable employees to work independently and productively a lot faster. This not only makes their daily work easier, but also that of their colleagues who do not have to take on the task of training new colleagues in addition to their own work. There are fewer disappointments and negative experiences which reduces the drop-out rate, and quality and productivity reach the level of experienced colleagues much earlier.