Augmented Reality Is Transforming Industrial Workflows

BOSTON—Augmented Reality (AR) is poised to revolutionize industrial operations, offering unprecedented levels of efficiency and insight.

This insight was highlighted in the opening keynote at PTC’s LiveWorx Digital Transformation Event (June 10–13).

PTC CEO James E. Heppelmann emphasized that AR extends digital information into the physical world, moving beyond entertainment into practical human–machine collaboration.

‘When digital and human interactions converge through AR, workers become significantly more productive as the digital layer can monitor, guide, and optimize tasks,’ Heppelmann remarked.

Although AR gained mainstream attention via the 2016 Pokémon GO phenomenon, it functions as a people‑centric counterpart to the Internet of Things, which primarily enhances machine productivity.

AR lets users view contextual, three‑dimensional data overlaying the real world—providing a real‑time, intuitive augmentation that complements the static nature of traditional web browsing.

AR remains in early adoption, but investment has risen, especially in retail, defense, and real estate, as noted in a March 2018 Perkins Coie study. The survey identified user experience as the primary barrier, yet two‑thirds of respondents projected AR revenues would outpace VR.

PTC’s Vuforia platform exemplifies this growth: sales have risen over 80 % annually, and Vuforia now accounts for roughly 7 % of the company’s software revenue—approximately $70 million out of a $1 billion+ annual turnover.

In parallel, Siemens Digital Industries announced the integration of AR into its Solid Edge 3D design suite, expanding its digital‑manufacturing toolkit.

Gartner projects that AR will transform retail, estimating 100 million consumers will shop via AR both online and in‑store by 2020—a bold forecast made in April 2019.

Within industry, AR’s most prominent use is skill development and training, enabling workers to acquire complex tasks on‑the‑job.

Earlier this year, PTC introduced Vuforia Expert Capture, allowing experienced operators to record a standard operating procedure in real time while performing tasks like machine configuration.

GlobalFoundries reported a ten‑fold reduction in SOP creation time using Expert Capture, as noted by D.P. Prakash, GlobalFoundries’ Global Head of Innovation.

During LiveWorx, PTC expanded Expert Capture with support for Microsoft HoloLens’s location‑aware features, enhancing spatial accuracy.

PTC also announced the acquisition of award‑winning Dutch AR agency TWNKLS, a move expected to accelerate AR adoption and expand PTC’s market reach.

In partnership with Matterport, PTC launched a 3D imaging platform that supports virtual tours and factory data visualization, enabling customers to generate digital twins of industrial facilities.

PTC also introduced Vuforia Engine 8.3, a model‑based AR platform powered by AI. Deep‑learning algorithms refine CAD‑to‑AR conversions, delivering richer, more accurate visualizations.

Partner Rockwell Automation is expanding its AR portfolio, applying it to data visualization, training, and smart‑factory integration alongside PTC’s Vuforia suite.

Heppelmann highlighted AR’s educational and data‑collection potential, noting that wearing a HoloLens or smart glasses instantly connects users to the internet.

‘Cloud data streams become tangible visuals and audio, while user gestures are digitized back into data—making the HoloLens a real‑time analog‑to‑digital modem,’ he explained.

AR headsets act as edge agents, embedding computing power and sensors to capture and process contextual information locally.

Heppelmann argued that AR could eliminate ‘just‑in‑case’ training by delivering real‑time guidance, a shift that could profoundly reshape economic productivity.

He illustrated this with a chess scenario: an AR headset could guide a novice player through moves recommended by a chess engine, enabling victory without extensive study.

He emphasized that AR doesn’t replace learning; instead, it offers smarter, more efficient ways for humans and computers to collaborate.