Technology use cases

Technology use cases

Every industry is starting to adopt it now How is it being used for technology? Since there were articles on utilization such as AR, this time we will introduce articles on utilization examples.

7 AR Use Cases From Business to Familiar "Convenience"

The use cases of AR (Augmented Reality) in business and business are increasing. AR tends to be used for games such as "Pokemon GO" and camera applications such as Snapchat, but as of 2017, it is being used in various fields such as construction, civil engineering, transportation, and retail.

In this article, we will introduce examples of AR utilization that companies are working on, not only for convenience in work but also for things related to our lives.

What is AR (Augmented Reality)?
AR is an abbreviation for Augmented Reality. Translated as "augmented reality" in Japanese. In general, we often see things that "display digital information on reality", and "Pokemon GO" released in 2016 uses this AR for some functions.

Until now, the mainstream of AR was "projecting a character in reality through a camera" and "recognizing a specific marker and displaying information on it", but in recent years, "AR that recognizes space" has been newly added. Has appeared.

For example, the framework "ARKit" is implemented from iOS 11 installed in iPhone and iPad. With compatible models, it is now possible to display information more realistically by recognizing surfaces such as the floor with a camera, placing objects on it with AR, and estimating scale and ambient light. You can let Pokemon walk on the ground, or put AR furniture on the floor of the room.

Microsoft's "HoloLens" has even higher spatial awareness, and it is possible to recognize not only surfaces but also walls and obstacles, and display AR after considering their shape and height of objects. With these technological advances, "AR that highly reflects reality" is being realized.

Areas where AR is used are mainly in areas where prior simulation is important, such as architecture, civil engineering, and medical care, as well as in the retail of furniture and home appliances. For example, in the field of construction and civil engineering, it is possible to confirm whether or not construction machines can be actually placed and operated at that location by displaying them on top of each other.

In retail, it is being introduced in fields such as furniture sales. As an example, by overlaying furniture on the room with AR, it is possible to perform pre-simulation such as "what size will it actually be placed in the room?" And "does this furniture match the coordination of the room?" .. It not only improves the convenience of our business, but also the convenience of our lives.

In this way, in reality, it is costly and time-consuming to check on the spot with AR, and by displaying AR information on top of things, safe work, efficiency of work, and purchasing It is attracting attention that it will lead to increased motivation and convenience of life.

Introducing specific use cases
So far, I have introduced the explanation about AR and how it is handled. Next, we will introduce individual use cases.

Komatsu Ltd .: Confirm construction progress with AR

Komatsu Ltd. (Komatsu) is developing a smartphone application using Google's AR platform "Tango" as part of the ICT solution "Smart Construction" project.

Komatsu and Kayac Inc. are collaborating to produce this application, and it has a function to place a 3D model of the completed design surface on the terrain under construction and check the progress, and scan the shape of the terrain. It incorporates a function that allows you to check the excavation / embankment part with AR, and a function that allows you to check construction machinery such as excavators and dump trucks with a full-scale AR display. As of July 2017, prototyping was completed and demonstrations were held.

Tokyo Metro: Educational maintenance of tunnels and bridges with AR app

Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. (Tokyo Metro) has developed an application for training and education that utilizes AR for its own company. This application can reproduce abnormalities that occur on-site in simulated tunnels, bridges, and viaducts in the General Training Center (Shinkiba, Koto-ku) on the iPad. This makes it possible to check for abnormalities such as cracks that actually occur in tunnels, and to provide more effective education than text or photo training.

AR markers are used for simulated bridges and viaducts, but simulated tunnels are developing and utilizing technology that recognizes the wall surface itself as a marker. An AR marker is a type of AR that performs image recognition, and refers to a sign / pattern for displaying information by reading the marker with a camera. With the technology that recognizes the wall surface itself as a marker, there is no need to attach or replace the AR marker in the simulated tunnel. As an application, it can be used when it is difficult to install an AR marker due to equipment restrictions or when the target to be displayed on the display is wide.

Changi International Airport: Smart glasses streamline luggage loading

At Singapore Changi International Airport, AR technology is used for loading baggage and cargo containers. Wear smart glasses and scan markers such as QR codes on each container. You can check the mounting method on the spot. The ramp control center can also check ground operations in real time.

SATS, which operates on the ground at Singapore Changi International Airport, plans to introduce smart glasses to 600 staff by mid-2018. SATS expects to reduce loading time by 15 minutes per flight on large wide-body aircraft.

Meidensha: Danger avoidance system using AR glasses

Meidensha Co., Ltd., an electrical equipment manufacturer, uses AR technology in its safety management system. When you walk in the hall with AR glasses (AR glasses), the glasses react to the beacon installed and you can detect dangerous places on the spot.

As of June 2017, it is said that it is in the stage of utilizing this technology at the actual site, making further improvements, and considering deploying it to each site. It is expected to be used as an introductory education to prepare a safe and smooth acceptance system at sites where there are many first-time workers and security guards.

IKEA: "Trial storage" of furniture with AR

IKEA, a major furniture maker, is developing and distributing an application "IKEA Place" that allows you to place furniture in a room with AR. When you buy furniture online, you can actually place it in your room and check it.

Approximately 2,000 types of IKEA sofas, tables, chairs and beds can be placed. If it is a compatible model, you can use the high-performance AR function to check the light and shadow of the displayed furniture. It helps prevent troubles such as "I bought it, but it's different from the image ..." and "If I buy it properly, it's too big to fit in ..." It seems to be.

Telecom Square: Display destination, direction, and required time in tourist magazines and AR

The free magazine "Japan Unlimited" distributed at Taiwan's international airport is linked with the AR navigation app "PinnAR". "PinnAR" is activated by holding the camera of the smartphone over the page published in "All-you-can-eat Japan". The direction, distance, and required time of the destination are displayed on the smartphone.

"All-you-can-eat Japan" is a free magazine that provides travel information for Taiwanese with the theme of "eating, playing, drinking, and enjoying" in Japan. The publisher, Telecom Square Co., Ltd., plans to revitalize the region for tourists from Taiwan to Japan. As an AR business for tourists coming to Japan, Baidu Co., Ltd., the Japanese subsidiary of the Chinese search engine "Baidu", also sells AR advertisements.

ModiFace: Select cosmetics with AR and make up by reflecting on the face

It is a makeup app that utilizes AR by ModiFace, which provides beauty-related AR technology. In addition to applying a make-up-like filter to the face using AR, you can see the cosmetics you tried side by side in a space like a gallery.

You can choose the color of the lip and try to see if it matches the user's complexion, or you can save the face after makeup and compare it, so it can be used for both mail order and over-the-counter sales.