Wearable Computing

Wearable computing systems allow the support of workers in ongoing processes of automotive logistics. In a previous research project a wearable computing system, which is called easyTracing System, was developed. To this date, the easyTracing System is not technically mature because of the following reasons: First of all, the system was just tested in a laboratory. Hence, field tests are necessary, for example respective robustness. Besides, for supporting workers an efficient method for process controlling has to be developed. Both to make the technology of the easyTracing System workable and to develop an efficient method for process controlling are objects of research. This paper presents an approach for both development projects with the characteristic of a simultaneous processing.

Today`s complex and dynamic logistic processes are largely addicted to the efficient management of relevant information. Integrated into centralised planning and control structures, the flow and management of information is mostly handled in separate processes or sub processes. This proceeding results in an additional effort for the information processing and in corresponding delays during the process execution. This is especially the case for mobile work processes. Wearable computing systems offer the possibility to use modern information and communication technologies for a direct integration of the information processing and information management into the mobile work process. In this way the mobile user is discharged and able to concentrate on his logistical main task.

The introduction of technologies to enterprises and their business processes often leads to extensive consequences. Technical operators are nowadays equipped with mobile and wearable ICT in order to perform maintenance processes faster and more efficiently. However existing interaction paradigms of a typical desktop environment were applied to these mobile and wearable devices. Wearable Computing represents a promising technology for the support of mobile working processes in the industrial context.

During the last 20 years the computer motivated a drastic change for the office work and by embedded systems controlling the shop floor. However in the daily work paper is sometimes still the only medium supporting work processes in production and maintenance in information provision and gathering. Often more than 50 % of the process time are just caused by the production and handling of those papers. Wearable Computing solutions now offer a possibility to obtain information on the move - unobtrusively supporting the primary tasks by information provision and collection. The introduction of the technology requires sufficient user acceptance. Only when this user acceptance is given the encountered potentials improving quality and productivity can be realised.

This contribution explains the concept of „Wearable Computing“ and the underlying ideas and technologies. These include, among others, the application of wearable computers and mobile input and output devices for a “casual” use: By means of sensors, the system gathers context information in order to reduce the necessary interaction for the user and to present the right information at the right time, and at the right location. A crucial fea- ture of such a solution is that it is an intelligent assistant system supporting the qualified user on site during his mobile work. Areas of application include the maintenance of large indus-trial plants, health care, and tourism. In the present contribution, the focus is on industrial innovation.