Terre-Net: Amazone Uses HMT-1 in Agriculture, Says RealWear is “More Rugged than Competitors”

Amazone Explains Why the Company has Equipped Employees with RealWear HMT-1s

Terrre-Net reports today that Amazone is making the RealWear HMT-1 available to Amazone’s 12 after-sales inspectors as well as four after-sales service experts from the head office. It also makes it easier to remove the language barrier with its German offices.

What You Need to Know:

-According to Amazone, HMT-1 is more rugged than its competitors.
-HMT-1 limits travel costs
-Faster intervention to solve the problem or problems
-Connected wearable computers like HMT-1 increase the skills of traveling teams
-HMT-1 can enhance existing applications by making them 100% hands-free and voice-enabled

Translated story:

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “At Amazone , Smart Service 4.0 starts with an application called Service Connect . It works on smartphone or tablet in its basic version, but also on connected glasses , on the same principle as for Google Glass .

We opted for a Realwear brand helmet because it is stronger than its competitors. This set is used on construction sites in the United States or at UPS for the maintenance of the fleet of vehicles by low or unskilled workers.

These glasses allow for interconnectivity between people in the field, plant staff and head office specialists. ”

Terre-net (TN): In concrete terms, how does it work?

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “The user of glasses connects by Bluetooth to his smartphone, which is itself connected to the Internet . Thus, he shares his field of vision with the product specialist, who is several hundred or thousands of kilometers away. The voice command allows him to keep both hands free to intervene on the machine and even take pictures for example.

The remote user visualizes the problem better and can guide the person on the ground to the voice but also by sending him drawings or plans. It is a connection sharing like TeamViewer but the operator can at the same time repair or configure the machine. Even if the internet speed is low, the camera works but the image is a bit pixelated.

Terre-net (TN): Why did you choose this new technology?

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “The technical teams must know a wide range of very complex machines which requires more and more specialized skills. Connected glasses increase the skills of traveling teams .

Electronic control boxes often have to be calibrated by a specialist and it is difficult to guide someone from a distance. With the glasses, it is possible to know, in  real time, where the operator is. We can even see stealthy events. In addition, the helmet enhances the “free hand” aspect compared to the classic application.

This system costs 1,800 € per technician, but limits travel costs, a significant burden for the company. ”

Terre-net (TN): Who is this tool for? How many people does this represent?

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “These glasses will be made available to Amazone’s 12 after-sales inspectors as well as four after-sales service experts from the head office. It also makes it easier to get out of the language barrier with the design offices in Germany.

The technical team is open to new technologies and uses this new tool for all Amazon product ranges .

Terre-net (TN): What date do you plan to equip the dealers?

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “The French version of the program has been around since April, but the number of people who can receive a call, which is too high, is problematic. The program can therefore only be offered to certain partner dealers. You can use the application for free but the “free hand” function is not available. ”

Faster troubleshooting with digital technologies

Net-land (TN): What are the benefits?

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “First of all, the diagnosis is facilitated , hence a faster intervention to solve the problem or problems. In addition, the setting of the electronic boxes is simplified, as the wearable computer can express more easily its full potential. ”

Terre-net (TN): What are the next stages of development?

Christophe Sanséau (CS): “To go further than connected glasses, virtual reality training should be developed . It exists in Germany as a prototype but not yet in France. It could be a future evolution. Thus, we could automatically integrate the plans of the design office to model, in real time, the training courses. Interest in complex operations is clear. Nevertheless, in France, we will have to wait until 2019 or 2020.

From June 2018 do not be surprised to see Amazon technical inspectors  with their glasses connected directly in the plots! ”

Original Story in French here.