- COT’s data glasses enable hands-free remote support that enhances the productivity of roofing professionals.
- Only a small fraction (3%) of skilled trades currently use AR or VR technologies despite widespread digital technology adoption.
- The RealWear HMT-1 smart glasses are designed for industrial conditions, including noisy and dusty environments.
- Remote visual guidance facilitates quicker problem resolution and better documentation, improving quality assurance.
Computer OEM Trading, or COT for short, has been a market leader in printing and auto-ID solutions for more than 45 years. The company specializes in sophisticated complete solutions. Its product portfolio includes data glasses that enable real-time remote support.
This innovative solution saves time and money, making it attractive not only for sectors such as logistics, industry, retail, and healthcare, but also for skilled trades.
Digital roofing company
The skilled trades are changing
With annual sales of over 500 billion euros, the skilled trades are an important economic sector in Germany. It is an economic sector that continues to grow thanks to digitalization: 68 percent of all skilled trades businesses already use digital technologies and applications. Most work with cloud computing, tracking systems, and smart software. Virtual or augmented reality applications, on the other hand, are hardly widespread. Only three percent of all skilled tradespeople use visual technologies.
"COT's remote support solution enables employees on the roof to work hands-free and in a targeted manner with tools and machines."
Lars Oelke – Key Account Manager at COT
Challenge: Remote support for multiple construction sites
Four eyes see more than two – a principle that has always applied at the Lohrer roofing company. In times of skilled labor shortages, this is no easy task. After all, Lohrer and his four employees work throughout the Rhine-Main area and on several construction sites at the same time. Time and again, questions arise during installation that require the expert eye of their boss.
Before the introduction of COT data glasses, there were two options: Either Sebastian Lohrer got in his car and went to the site to assess the situation himself. Or he tried remote support via Facetime or WhatsApp Video. Both solutions were suboptimal. Traveling to different construction sites took a lot of time. Using video telephony products delayed the entire workflow: with smartphones in their hands, Lohrer's employees were unable to carry out any further work on the roof.
Through contact with COT, the idea arose in early 2022 to use a remote support solution that would enable employees on site to communicate and work hands-free at the same time.
Construction site remote support
COT offers a complete solution for Lohrer
With the RealWear HMT-1 data glasses, COT offers the roofing company a complete solution: The data glasses were developed by RealWear and equipped with Teamviewer software. COT is a distribution partner. The location-independent real-time support provided by the glasses is delivered via live video transmission. This means that the person connected sees the same thing on their tablet as the person on site. This allows the expert to provide immediate and targeted support. To increase the hands-free character, the glasses are voice-controlled.
How do the smart glasses work on the construction site?
The RealWear HMT-1 smart glasses are ideal for work on the construction site: they are the first industrial head-mounted terminal suitable for use in noisy and dusty environments. The application requires connectivity. If necessary, the employee activates a hotspot on the company cell phone, to which the glasses connect. They then start the application via voice command.
The video connection is established immediately and automatically, and the live image from the glasses is transmitted to the boss's tablet. The boss has the option of setting visual markers and uploading them to the glasses. This way, the employee knows exactly where to start. Another advantage is that the employee's field of vision is not obstructed by the digital tool. It resembles a small smartphone that hangs diagonally in front of the eye. If an employee wants to see the display, they simply look up.
Example of use in a roofing company
Sebastian Lohrer is convinced by the concept. After a day of onboarding by COT, the test phase begins in the company. The first use case arises after just three days: a piece of roofing felt has been welded incorrectly, and Lohrer's employee is alone on the roof. Remote support with the data glasses works smoothly: Lohrer and his employee look at the problem together via video call, take photos and videos of the deformed board. Lohrer then forwards the saved files to his supplier.
Advantages of smart glasses
Quality assurance with real-time remote support
In addition to maintenance and assembly, the assistance system is also used for quality assurance: any deviations can be documented in real time via photo or video with remote support. Complete documentation is particularly important in warranty cases. In addition, errors can be analyzed and corrected better, faster, and more precisely.
This benefits both Lohrer's employees and customers alike. A classic win-win situation.
Roofing work without interruptions
The new digital "tool" has won over master roofer Lohrer. He sees technological development as an opportunity to improve his work processes. Gone are the days when he had to interrupt his work and rush to help employees on other construction sites. The same applies to his employees: they have both hands free and can continue working without restriction despite wearing glasses.
Thus, the data glasses not only contribute to increased productivity, but also reduce travel costs and downtime.
