Can businesses lose the skills of retiring workers before the next generation learns from them?

That danger no longer exists with developing technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). PTC’s president and CEO Jim Heppelmann says the company has devised an innovative technology to train both existing employees and the next generation of workers. The system would help preserve traditional skills.

PTC’s Vuforia Expert Capture system enables expert workers to record their performance of a task using a wearable AR device such as the Microsoft HoloLens. The next step is to convert the recording into a step-wise video guide that the new workers can follow using the same wearable technology. Valuable procedural behavior is, therefore, preserved safely for future generations of workers.

PTC is one of the world’s leading providers of industrial innovation technology.

The connected worker: transfer of skills via AR

PTC also dubs this as “connected worker” technology.

“We have countless examples of small, medium, and large firms that are embracing ‘connected worker’ technology to protect knowledge when workers retire,” says Heppelmann. This technology would reduce the costs of onboarding new employees, and even the ability to quickly reskill and cross-train existing staff.

“These technologies can bring the superpower of computing into the arms and legs of the workforce,” he adds. He refers to the AR-enabled transfer and preservation of skills.

Researchers and innovators are adding new functionalities to the still relatively new technology of AR. This includes dynamic capture and overlay of information.

According to Heppelmann, AR is one of the most highly effective user interfaces ever. However, its true benefits would be realized if it can make the transition from the R&D lab into business applications.

Protecting traditional skills and intellectual property is certainly a worthwhile application.

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