An interesting article on EE News website uses Pokémon Go as a springboard to look at how Augmented Reality technology is being used in enterprise, specifically in the energy industry.

Examples quoted include:

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory shows in a video how researchers use the same Geographic Information System (GIS) as in Pokémon Go, to assess water and energy demand.
• NextGen Climate is targeting Pokémon hotspots to find new supporters and hosting events with solar-powered charging stations.
• Eric Abbruzzese, a senior analyst at ABI Research is quoted as saying there is a lot of interest in the energy space. Oil and gas companies are making use of Augmented Reality and according to ABI research, the industrial sector is expected to comprise 44% of smart glasses revenue within five years<./li>

Notably, AREA Member Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been testing similar technology to boost efficiencies in the electricity industry. Detailed information on their work is given in the article and summarized below:

• John Simmins of EPRI, who is leading their augmented reality testing, gives a number of detailed examples of how AR technology can be used for energy savings in the field.
• For example, after a major storm, workers dispatched to assess damage may not have as much expertise as usual line workers. By using a smart helmet or glasses, they can find hard-to-find power lines or transformers. The information can be sent to HQ with voice command, meaning increased speed, reduced outage time and error reduction.
• Other applications include malfunction detection, training and dramatically reducing the need for experts to travel long distances to make repairs and solve problems, when AR technology means this could be done remotely.
• The DAQRI Smart Helmet is mentioned in the article as being particularly useful in the oil and gas industry where workers require both a hard hat and free hands.

There is also a link to an EPRI video demonstrating inspection equipment with a smart helmet, shown below.

Links to the member company profiles can be accessed here: EPRI profile and DAQRI profile.

Commuter rail is a new industry to also be taking advantage of Augmented Reality. The Keolis Commuter Services (KCS) will provide the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) workers with smart glasses in order to aid communications, increase repair speed, and lower disruptions, according to an article on TechnologyReview.com. The start-up company was incorporated in January, and the new technology is set to be released in September 2016.

The software that will be used is called AMA XpertEye, which buys the smart glasses from companies such as Epson and Google, and adds its own operating system onto them. This allows the wearer to hold conversations and video chats from the field with colleagues situated in other locations, for example an office.

Technological features:
• Image annotations can be made
• Screenshots of the video can be taken
• The video can be saved for future replay
• Encrypted connection that can use 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, or Ethernet cable
• Enhances people’s vision via image processing
• Useful for companies in maintenance, monitoring, and training

Benefits to the company of the technology:
• Will help keep more trains in service
• Will save mechanics a 30 minute walk
• KCS would not have to transport trains to the main facility if damage occurred
• Workers could easily fix a problem if they can consult experts (efficient communication)
• Workers will learn more through a visual experience—ease of use and training
• Drivers may be able to make emergency repairs

In addition, there are other uses for AMA XpertEyes’ technology; car manufacturers can oversee auto repairs, security guards and factory managers can survey buildings, and insurance companies can observe property damage. Ultimately, ease of use for existing employees will be the most important factor in the investment decision-making process.