Hannover/Germany, April 20, 2016 – The Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT and the founders of its latest spin-off company – oculavis – will be presenting three new applications for personal imaging systems, also known as smart glasses, at the Hanover Fair (April 25-29): the “oculavis.4D-instructor”, “oculavis.pick” and “oculavis.share” software modules permit Augmented Reality (AR) functions to be used in production, logistics and service applications. Visitors to the fair who are interested in this development are welcome to come and try out the software themselves using a range of new models of the AR glasses such as ODG R-7 Smartglasses or Epson Moverio Pro BT-2000 in Hall 17, Booth C18.

The oculavis-software, which runs on a conventional android operating system from version 4.0.4 upward, was developed by the Fraunhofer IPT and will be marketed to industry by oculavis, the up-coming spin-off company as from May 2016.

The oculavis.4D-instructor software module permits animated instructions with 3D-CAD models to be generated and displayed on the smart glasses. This leaves both hands free so that even unskilled workers can assemble or test parts with which they are not yet familiar. The animations also make the instructions clearer and more easily understandable. By helping to train staff on the shop floor to in this way, smart glasses make a major contribution to accelerating ramp-up processes, particularly in the case of production with a number of variants or where there is a high level of staff turnover.

The oculavis-place software module provides a so-called “Place-to-Augment-solution” for application in logistics: this means that the smart glasses provide the wearer with helpful information in the display as to where a certain part should be placed. This module extends classical pick-solutions applied in logistics to include an additional feature enabling the user to design and put in place swifter, more intuitive logistics processes.

In the service sector, the oculavis.share software module supports videotelophony with new features such as bi-directional annotation, 3D-models and documentation options. When complex tasks are involved, an expert can intervene and instruct the user directly. A tool kit containing sample solutions and pre-defined approaches is on-hand to provide support. The software module thus helps to reduce travel costs and shortens plant and machinery downtimes.

oculavis is a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen which is currently in the formation phase. The company will be launched in May 2016. The newly formed company is developing a cloud-based software system to connect humans, machines and workpieces along with the corresponding software modules for use with commercially available smart devices. Augmented Reality, or the technique of overlaying information on transparent smart glasses, in the field of view of the wearer, is the principle backed by oculavis. The goal pursued by oculavis is to increase productivity by enhancing information processes in the production environment and to provide a perfect interface for communications between man and production systems.