A User Evaluation Study of Augmented and Virtual Reality Tools for Training and Knowledge Transfer

Modern augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) technology open multiple new capabilities in the way people interact, collaborate and deliver or receive information via digital interfaces. Industry workers and operators may especially benefit from such solutions that allow them to get trained, onsite or remotely, using digital copies of the workplace environment. This paper presents the development of AR/VR-based collaborative and telepresence tools, along with a web-based platform for knowledge exchange and interaction, as part of the Ageing@Work project, that enable easy transfer of know-how from experienced (possibly older) to novice workers. The remote collaboration tools facilitate variability in location and working hours, and thus promote age-neutralizing means of participation and cooperation, whereas the knowledge transfer tools support the ageing worker's leadership characteristics within the workplace community, allowing the company or work site to capitalize on her/his experience and expertise gained through the years. The tools were developed in accordance to a user-centred design process and were evaluated by 126 participants in total through online surveys in two pilot sites with regard to core Industry 4.0 processes of mining and machines production, as well as through off-pilot studies. This paper presents analytic outcomes of the assessment of knowledge transfer tools illustrating very positive results on the level of technology acceptance, and the overall potential of the developed solutions to support healthy and productive ageing of workers with enhanced workability.