Apple’s new Vision Pro AR glasses aim to revolutionize access to technology by seamlessly blending the digital and real world. Supply chain professionals have also been exploring the potential of AR technology in recent years. Could we be on the verge of an AR revolution in the supply chain?
In February 2014, tech reporter Sarah Slocum faced verbal insults and physical assault at the punk bar Molotov’s in San Francisco for wearing Google Glass, the popular AR glasses at the time. The controversy around Google Glass was expressed through unfriendly word creations like “glassholes”. While the ATSC blog speculated about the possibilities of Google Glass in the supply chain in 2013, the product failed to meet expectations partly due to society’s unpreparedness for a consumer version. Even in business applications, Glass and AR technology oftentimes remained a the pilot project phase, despite the numerous potential use cases such as employee training and waste prevention. Apple’s Vision Pro is a new attempt at AR technology. It remains to be seen if this current hype will lead to sustainable developments in AR for the supply chain.
What can the Apple Vision Pro glasses do?
Recently, it was announced that the new AR Apple glasses will be available for purchase in early 2024. These glasses come with many modern features, such as the ability to control them using only eye movements, voice commands, and finger gestures.
Additionally, they are equipped with cameras that use Lidar scanners to sense depth in your surroundings. Whether watching a movie, playing games, or attending work conferences, the “reality” glasses make it all possible without the need for devices like laptops or phones. The external battery lasts up to two hours and can be stored in your pocket and connected to the glasses via a cable.
Other noteworthy features of the glasses include displays with more pixels than a 4k TV for each eye, an onboard 3D camera, and an outer display that shows a real-time view of the wearer’s eyes. Apple glasses could revolutionize technology with remarkable advancements As spotted by the online platform Patently Apple, the United States Patent and Trademark Office awarded the Cupertino company e.g. a patent for an in-headset vision-correcting system that eliminates the need to wear prescription lenses beneath an augmented reality device. The patent proposes built-in optics that rectify vision issues like astigmatism and nearsightedness.
Applications of Apple’s AR Glasses in the supply chain
With the ability to integrate with other Apple products, these glasses could provide real-time data on inventory levels, shipment tracking, and even employee productivity. By overlaying digital information onto the physical world, these glasses could make it easier for workers to locate and process orders, reducing errors and increasing efficiency.
Furthermore, the glasses could be used to train new employees in a virtual environment, allowing them to practice handling equipment and completing tasks before working with real-world materials. This could reduce training costs and improve safety measures in the workplace. Overall, integrating Apple’s AR glasses into the logistics and supply chain industry can streamline operations and increase profitability.
Pros and Cons of the Glasses Related to Supply Chain
There are several positive aspects to AR glasses, one of which is the ease of control, as you can operate them with simple hand gestures, voice commands, and eye movements. This feature could be especially helpful for people with disabilities who may have trouble with other devices. The glasses’ advanced sensors and cameras can precisely track your movements and surroundings, making it possible to interact with virtual objects as though they were physically present. Moreover, one of the more general potential benefits of AR and VR technologies is the reduction of waste in the supply chain.
Although these AR glasses offer impressive features, their price of $3,500 is a notable disadvantage when compared to more reasonably priced alternatives. The glasses are also quite bulky, and their weight could become uncomfortable over time. Furthermore, their battery needs to be connected through a cable, which can be inconvenient and only lasts for up to two hours. Also, it’s important to note that these glasses are designed to sync exclusively with iPhones, which may put those without an Apple device at a significant disadvantage.
Conclusion
It’s been a decade since Google Glass sparked social debates, ultimately leading to its practical failure. However, with the Vision Pro, wearers won’t probably have to be as cautious in public settings. Society has gained experience with AR since then, which bodes well for its success in business applications. AR glasses have the potential to revolutionize logistics by improving supply chain efficiency and worker safety through real-time information and hands-free access. The excitement surrounding this technology’s potential impact is undeniable, and it will be fascinating to see how it develops in the years to come.
