Seven Ways Wearable Tech is Reshaping Manufacturing Industry

By CIOReview | Monday, September 17, 2018

From health tracking and physical fitness to fashion industry and contactless payments, wearable technology has boomed in the recent years. A ton of cool features already existed, and some new are introduced, and therefore this technology is expected to be a promising one in the business and enterprise world. Wearable devices have a place in the manufacturing industry as well. Seven potential applications within this sector are mentioned below.

1. Safety Awareness and Related Equipment

In the manufacturing industry, you can use wearables like wristbands, headwear for safety and environmental information to the wearers.

Another subject of concern is prolonged work injuries. Working for long hours in a warehouse or any manufacturing plant could be dangerous for the human body. For instance, standing for long hours can lead to exhaustion and further injuries. One significant example would be BMW's ''Chairless Chair'' which helps employees to convert this wearable into a chair at the push of a button.

2. Hands-Off Training

Manufacturing Industry requires hands-off training for its employees. Therefore employers can use various wearable technology to overcome this age-old procedure and be modern and efficient. Many big firms are investing in it to provide better working conditions for its employees.

3. Increased Productivity and Efficiency

Wearable technology is used both in industrial or commercial settings. For instance, the production line employees can use it to stay focussed and gather additional information or deliver commands. Moreover, in the warehouse settings wearable will help in speeding up the operations. Hence, this technology can be adapted to all kinds of industrial setup.

4. Situational Awareness

Situational Awareness is particularly valid for development and advancement, yet it applies to manufacture and warehouses, too. The environment is dynamic in that it's continually changing to account for more work, updated projects or even machinery and hardware. It is somewhat not similar to general security since it's trying to stay aware of hardware, shelving or even equipment that is dependable moving all through space or region. Through the blend of IoT, associated sensors and body-worn wearable tech, specialists can be more careful and mindful of what's happening around them.

5. Predictive Modeling and AR

Augmented Reality is on the rise and has a great scope in the manufacturing industry, specifically regarding Predictive Modeling. Top manufacturing companies can use this technology for preventative maintenance to inspect equipment, assembling, project design, and planning.

6. Management Opportunities

IoT and associated sensors especially in the manufacturing units allow managers to see how everything is happening. All the activities are synced to a central system enabling the administrators to have a look at the status information and make the required changes.

7. Authentication and Security Planning

In manufacturing industries, it's mandatory to maintain proper security protocols and must authenticate each worker or third parties before they access any property. Therefore, wearable technology can restrict, allow and track any movements of the workers.

The conclusion is that wearable technology is presenting new possibilities and opportunities to upgrade and improve the things operate. The combination of the human brain along with the modern types of equipment and tools can help in boosting productivity, safety, and efficiency.