Advances in Connected Worker Technology
remotely connected with other stakeholders . In addition to providing a low friction connected experience , these devices can also interact with the external environment , such as machines or sensors , which offers enhanced capabilities for workers .
Before diving into three business use cases , it is important to note how both IoT and XR , among other technologies , are indeed converging to enable this connected worker concept .
Fig . 2 : Examples of HMDs , Various Sources
The HMDs are intelligent wearable devices , or “ sensors ”, with an ability to tap into various connectivity protocols depending on the vendor ; the most commonly supported protocols being WiFi or cellular . While connectivity remains a common challenge , technology is maturing rapidly and contingency plans are being developed , such as allowing devices to seamlessly switch from one protocol to another . Also , tangential industry advances such as 5G or Mobile Edge Computing are paving the way for a more continuous connectivity experience .
Additionally , these devices often have the ability to capture inputs from the external environment , such as QR scanning or picture / video recording , and process those according to pre-defined logic . As such , they allow businesses to capture data closer to its source , also called the edge . Ultimately , outputs such as annotated pictures or machine data can be shared between stakeholders through various means , such as visual or audio cues . This feedback loop is typical of IoT systems .
Furthermore , as opposed to traditional IT assets such as laptops , the HMDs are often treated uniquely from a configuration and provisioning , security , or asset management perspective . They have unique features that create an unprecedented set of challenges and considerations ( e . g ., data privacy , form factor , etc .) for organizations . Additionally , irrespective of HMD types and whether they prioritize the “ digital ” or “ real ” world , they all provide end-users with multimediated perspectives ; i . e ., they digitally enhance what our eyes can see and brains can process . This mixed reality point-of-view creates efficiencies by reducing friction between the real and the digital world .
In summary , it is the combination of advances in connectivity and IoT , coupled with innovations such as XR , that are driving the emergence of these tools and supporting a more immersive experience for distributed workforces . Next , we explore three use cases to illustrate our concept .
IIC Journal of Innovation - 57 -