SAP today announced the upcoming availability of two augmented reality (AR) apps for field technicians and warehouse teams. The SAP Android AR apps are designed for workers fitted with Android Wear glasses from Vuzix. SAP plans to have the apps available next month, in October.
The warehouse app, called SAP AR Warehouse Picker, aims to help warehouse workers to do all of their tasks while wearing smart glasses and with no need for a handheld scanner. The Warehouse Picker app uses the Vuzix glasses’ built-in visualization and voice recognition to receive or provide instructions, and enables data entry through scanning or voice recognition.
For example, the app can provide warehouse workers with inventory location, alerts and instructions for maintenance handling, and the delivery of safety messages to prevent accidents. SAP also plans simplified authentication for the app, eliminating the need to enter a username, password or other information.
You can see the Warehouse Picker in action in the video below, followed by details about the field service app.
The field service app, called SAP AR Service Technician, provides field service technicians with hands-free access to product data and visual service instructions. For example, the app will integrate 3D animation, step-by-step browsing, and a remote expert calling function that enables field service technicians to request support from any expert. SAP is also building in voice notes, recording and playback functions so that service technicians can easily create a knowledge base that is accessible to others.
Here’s a SAP concept video — released earlier this year — of field service applications for a technician wearing Vuzix smart glasses. In it, the lighting panel technician receives virtual “over-the-shoulder” coaching from the smart glasses app:
Both SAP Android AR apps have been used successfully in beta testing with SAP customers.
The company also has a new video out that demonstrates a variety of concept field service applications for smartphones, watches, and Android smart glasses:
