Advances in Connected Worker Technology
to digital world , as well as the associated technology concepts . 7 While virtual reality ( VR ) replaces the real world with a fully immersive digital experience , other technologies provide a digital experience overlaid on top of reality , so the user maintains ground in her surroundings .
Fig . 1 : Mixed Reality Continuum , adapted from Milgram and Kishino , 1994
When considering various XR technology options , one may benefit from thinking of it as whether the tool provides a “ reality-first ” or “ digital-first ” point of view . Well-documented use cases often stress the latter , which is likely where future innovation will continue to converge . For instance , virtual reality headsets can be worn to learn soft skills by interacting and practicing with virtual humans . However , innovation can sometimes get in the way of practicality and we ’ re witnessing the increased adoption of practical solutions that may not be as sophisticated , or highlymarketed , as others , but that are focused on solving specific use cases with fit-for-purpose technology .
In the next section , we explore how such solutions can enable a more connected workforce , by combining elements of both IoT and XR into innovative wearable technology .
Connected Worker
Conceptually , connected workers are enabled through technology innovations that enhance their ability to conduct the due business process by providing a more seamless interaction with their environment . It is , however , not a new concept . The digital revolution that began in the latter half of the 20th century has progressively been shifting workloads from mechanical to digital platforms , in turn enabling more connected workforces .
For instance , PwC describes “ industry 4.0 ” as encompassing end-to-end digitization and data integration of the manufacturing value chain : offering digital products and services , operating connected physical and virtual assets , transforming and integrating all operations and internal activities , building partnerships , and optimizing customer-facing activities 8 .
For the purpose of this discussion , we focus on a specific type of technology that provides new semi-immersive experiences for connected workers . We ’ re witnessing the emergence of headmounted devices ( HMDs ) that allow employees to be hands-free and conduct tasks while being
- 56 - November 2020