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Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the significant buzzwords that shape the high-tech cleaning business environment today, generating interest in both the consumer and professional markets. Cleaning services are not an exception and are challenged by this technology.
According to various estimations, the number of mobile Augmented Reality active user devices is estimated to reach 1.4 billion by the end of 2023. The IDC data shows that the global volume of shipments of AR/VR headsets has reached 8.8 million units - with a share of augmented reality devices rising. The growth remains stable (with adjustments accordingly to the market environment) and it is estimated that global shipments of AR/VR headsets will reach 10.1 million by the end of 2023.
The popularity of this technology is fueled mostly by the innovative concepts that can be implemented using this approach.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are usually described as sharing a market or seen as parts of larger trends. This is understandable, mostly due to the fact that the devices powering these technologies share common qualities and sometimes can be used interchangeably.
Virtual Reality is usually about building a whole world around the user, where one can interact with it using designed tools and devices. The app delivers as much sensory information as possible - graphics, sounds, and so on. This approach can be found in games, with popular headsets being able to be used in games like Minecraft or Everspace.
Contrary to virtual reality augmented reality delivers only an additional layer to reality, that delivers additional information without blocking or disregarding reality. The additional information can be a text or an object placed in real space, displayed using a transparent screen, or on a smartphone screen, where the device uses the camera and sensors inside to determine the right position of the new object. Popular games like Pokemon Go or Ingress uses Augmented reality to either display a 3D model of Pokemon in the real world or to determine the player’s position to allow him to interact with in-game objects.
Yet gaming is not the only possible application of both AR and VR. Professional users also see the rise of the applications of these technologies, particularly augmented reality.
When it comes to cleaning services, a natural way to follow is to harness the power of augmented reality. Cleaning services are about making a direct impact on the surrounding reality - particularly making the floors or inventory cleaner than they were before. Yet there are several key benefits to name when reaching for this technology:
Cleaning staff needs to be constantly trained - the specialist needs to know the impact of detergents on various surfaces, the dosages of the detergents, and multiple other impacting factors. Also, different companies design various policies that the cleaning company needs to follow.
Augmented reality can be used to deliver better training and support on-site training. The AR headset can display instructions in real-time, in response to the objects the cleaning specialist encounters. The information can be delivered with attractive visuals and prompts to make the training even easier.
AR solutions can monitor the work on the go and provide real-time feedback regarding the quality of the job done. This is extremely important in delivering cleaning services in hospitals and facilities that need the highest levels of sanitation. According to the Journal of Hospital Infection, a visual inspection, the most popular way to assess the cleaning company’s work, is not enough. More reliable ways to ensure sanitation are crucial to reducing infection rates.
The AR headset provided by AR-Check comes with real-time feedback and information about the quality of the job done. For example, it can display the interactive heatmap of the floor cleaned or highlight the missed spots.
That also makes any issues regarding quality assurance easier to handle. The device gathers information about the quality of the job done, so any doubts can be settled by analyzing the data.
Real-time support is also a way to provide greater safety for cleaning staff and institutions alike. For example, the AR device can monitor the detergents used and deliver warnings about mistakes. This may prevent any damage done to fabrics by misused detergents.
Also, the device can ensure using the right protection, including face masks, goggles, and gloves. Protective equipment can significantly reduce the health impact of the work. With AR headsets supervising the usage, the staff can be reminded about the safety protocols easier and in a more convenient way. Considering the fact that cleaning staff suffers from multiple occupational diseases, including back aches and persistent discomfort, reducing their exposure to harmful factors can be a game-changer for their whole lives.
AR headsets, powered with sensors and connected to the internet, are transforming the distributed cleaning workforce into a more directed group. The AR glasses can exchange information using the cloud-based platform and keep every employee informed about the job to be done and the job done.
This avoids both duplicating the work and leaving some parts of the work to do to others without informing them. When all the work is supported by a cloud-based system, the processes are optimized and can be further examined for delivering even better performance.
Last but not least, the AR headset is boosting the employee experience. The device can come with three significant boosts:
Augmented reality finds applications in multiple industries and cleaning services are no exception. Due to the inherent “augmenting” the reality provided by the technology, the cleaning specialist can get constant feedback and guidance in one’s work. And this takes the cleaning services to a whole new level, making Augmented reality a clean tech trend of 2023.
