An Augmented Reality Symbiosis Software Tool for Sustainable Logistics Activities

Vasileios Sidiropoulos,Dimitrios Bechtsis,Dimitrios Vlachos

doi:10.3390/su131910929

Vasileios Sidiropoulos, Dimitrios Bechtsis + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910929

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Abstract

Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology in the Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 contexts with an important role in man–machine symbiosis scenarios. Practitioners, although already acquainted with AR technology, are reluctant to adopt AR applications in industrial operations. This stems from the fact that a direct connection that is important for the management of sustainability goals is missing. Moreover, such a connection with economic, social, and environmental sustainability parameters sparsely appears in the AR literature. The proposed research, on one hand, presents an innovative architecture for a stable and scalable AR application that extents state-of-the-art solutions and, on the other hand, attempts to study AR technology within the framework of a sustainable business strategy. The developed system utilizes the Robot Operating System (ROS) alongside an AR mobile application to present an employee navigation scenario in warehouses and production lines. ROS is responsible for mapping the industrial facility, while the AR mobile application identifies the surrounding environment, along with a Real-Time Location System localizes employees in the facility. Finally, ROS identifies the shortest path between the employee and the destination point, while the AR mobile application presents the virtual path for reaching the destination.

Highlights

IntroductionIndustrial environments are demanding and full of challenges that could be addressed by digital technologies
Accepted: 27 September 2021Industrial environments are demanding and full of challenges that could be addressed by digital technologies
Economic and and calculates the shortest path by using the employee’s position, while the Augmented Reality (AR) application environmental indicators are focusing on providing more effective operational activities captures instances from the real-world facility and presents to the mobile device a virtual that will have a direct impact cost minimization and that will indirectly minimize the path to reach the destination point. This is a dynamic process as every use of natural resources. They are affected as numerous operational activities are remotely operated by AR technology

Summary

Introduction

Industrial environments are demanding and full of challenges that could be addressed by digital technologies. Digital transformation is considered a fundamental process in the Industry 4.0 and Logistics 4.0 contexts and promotes the adoption of Information and Communication Technology tools. The ever-increasing complexity of industrial facilities requires highly specialized personnel and continuous training, while at the same time operational activities are time-critical processes that should be handled directly by employees in the production line. AR applications are embraced by the industry at a rapid pace, and most enterprises that are considering AR solutions are planning the transition of their AR pilots to the production phase within the 2 years. The adoption of AR will strengthen personnel training, will improve and shorten the duration of the execution of manufacturing activities, and will further support the design of innovative processes. In recent research regarding job-specific trainings, 6% of the respondents utilize AR to overlay the predefined instructions, while

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