During the pandemic, a lot of companies tried remote working, especially using solutions like videoconferencing to connect remote workers. However, these solutions are not very effective for training as it requires a deeper level of interaction.

Whereas modern augmented reality technologies are optimal solutions for remote training. They offer companies significant advantages to facilitate and optimise remote training activities using immersive technologies.

These technologies are useful in a number of contexts, especially in the industrial field. Here’s how to integrate remote training with augmented reality into your business and the opportunities it offers.

How augmented reality training works?

Augmented reality helps to redefine training activities, introducing a dynamic way to train a workforce remotely, overcoming the limits of traditional training. This technology integrates the digital world and the real world, adding interactive digital elements to a real context.

Applying augmented reality to training and education means that these activities can be managed remotely, uniting teams and employees located in different places in the same AR environment. This way, companies can provide training to employees located almost anywhere in the world, managing it from a single, centralised location.

Technologies like Kiber 3S make this possible: a multi-functional AR/XR solution that strengthens the workforce in the field using 5G technology. It is wearable, AR remote-communication technology, with perfectly integrated hardware and software, a wearable helmet, a web platform and an Android smartphone app.

Workers can wear the AR helmet to access all the information they need remotely, while operators can monitor procedures remotely and upload new information to the visor if necessary. Therefore, remote training is carried out directly in the field but without the presence of the entire support team, who can collaborate remotely.

Benefits of augmented reality in education and training

Training a virtual team comes with a number of advantages:

• Instructors can create content through the web interface and distribute it to the workforce remotely using smartphone apps and wearable devices compatible with AR;
• All connected technicians can access the remote training simultaneously, regardless of their location;
• Operators can get information in real-time, applying it immediately to perform activities in the field;
• The training session can be streamed so that people other than the operators in the field can participate in the remote training;
• Instructors can upload various types of content, including 3D images and CAD files to improve the remote training;
• The content created and added to the database can be used by operators at any time, for example by loading it during field activities through the AR helmet;
• Remote training with augmented reality allows for advanced training on maintenance, making the information and support from experienced technicians accessible to the whole team;
• It is possible to manage users in real-time and acquire data to optimise remote training and constantly improve the learning experience.

Augmented reality training: examples

Professional, remote augmented reality training can be applied in various contexts. For example, a trainer can explain how a machine or piece of equipment works remotely, while workers use the visors to analyse it and can interact with it, by turning it, moving it and examining every detail from perspectives that could not be achieved in the physical world.

Augmented reality for remote training also allows employees to be trained in problem solving, showing them how to repair complex or delicate systems. Even an inexperienced operator can be remotely guided by an expert, avoiding mistakes that could cause damage or endanger anyone’s safety.

Companies can also show specific environments to new employees without them actually accessing them, such as places where a number of safety precautions must be taken before entry. This way, when operators physically enter the environment, they are already familiar with it, they know how to move around and understand the risks they need to be careful of. If they don’t remember some of the information, workers can also download the content from the training session on their smartphones.

Remote training with AR allows for the safe and efficient provision of training activities with low costs and centralised management of information that is made available to all employees at various sites nationally and abroad. Kiber K3S allows companies to transform remote training processes with AR, facilitating and optimising such activities in a simple and intuitive way.