Adaptive instructions to novice shop-floor operators using Augmented Reality

Abstract

This paper presents a novel system using Augmented Reality and Expert Systems to enhance the quality and efficiency of shop-floor operators. The novel system proposed provides an adaptive tool that facilitates and enhances support on the shop-floor, due to its ability to dynamically customize the instructions displayed, dependent upon the competence of the user. A comparative study has been made between an existing method of quality control instructions at a machining line in an automotive engine plant and this novel system. It has been shown that the new approach outcompetes the existing system, not only in terms of perceived usability but also with respect to two other important shop-floor variables: quality and productivity. Along with previous research, the outcomes of these test cases indicate the value of using Augmented Reality technology to enhance shop-floor operators’ ability to learn and master new tasks.

Keywords:

• Adaptive instructions
• Augmented Reality
• shop-floor operators
• expert systems
• shop-floor support

Acknowledgements

The authors express their gratitude to Hampus Albihn, the students from Lichron Technical High School and Volvo Technical High School, along with the shop-floor operators at Volvo GTO Powertrain in Skövde. The authors also thank the reviewers of the paper for helping to improve it. This paper is based on work performed within the research projects SYMBIO-TIC [637107] sponsored by the European Union and YOU2 [20130303] sponsored by the Swedish Knowledge Foundation. The System Usability Scale is a property of Digital Equipment Corporation, 1986.