Lear Corporation

The primary goal of using smart glasses was to improve remote support and make communication between the production plants around the world, people working from home, the expert centre and suppliers more efficient.

Also Lear Corporation, a global supplier for the automotive industry, has decided to start using smart glasses in its plants. With more than 100 years of existence and 257 offices in 40 countries, the prominent OEM supplier for the automotive industry and global leader in the production of luxury and efficient seating is among the main drivers of the industry’s technological transformation, setting up the future of mobility. Thanks to AYES, the company has available an up-to-date solution in about 50 of its plants, which puts the communication in the company at a new level, making work more efficient.

Before Lear started using smart glasses more, they had tested them in 12 plants across Europe for 6 months. What they wanted to do was to test their use under different conditions and by different users. The company collected feedback from all stakeholders (OHS, IT, etc.) and after assessing it, they started a broader implementation in other plants.

Based on initial consultations with the client, we proposed a combination of Microsoft HoloLens 2 smart glasses and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Remote Assist software as the best solution, with extra services tailored to fit the client’s needs, including consultations, expertise, service plans with defined response time and, last but not least, a comprehensive client support.

Tomáš Vravko, sales manager at AYES, explains: “A thorough introductory analysis of the client’s needs is the most important thing to be able to choose the best technology for them. Thanks to this, we were able to recommend to Lear smart glasses that can be used primarily for expert support for critical processes in production plants and remote audits as well as for other activities, such as 3D model projections in real environment.”

Already during the testing phase, one practical problem related to the production of Lear was solved flexibly. It was necessary to use the glasses with a protective hardhat. Martin Grejták explains: “Wearing a protective hardhat is mandatory in some parts of our production plants, so we were looking for ways to fix the glasses to the hardhat. At the end, AYES developed and manufactured special accessories for us – clips for fixing the helmet and straps that go under the chin and improve the comfort and safety while wearing the glasses. This also reduces the risk of damaging the glasses.”

The system’s demonstrable advantage is the significant decrease in travel expenses thanks to the efficient communication and remote support. “Before the implementation of smart glasses we used physical visits and phone calls. So it was almost impossible to get expert assistance outside standard working hours, in the evening or at night. Moreover, the specialist we needed was far away. The AYES solution brought flexibility and immediate and significant decrease in travel expenses. It is a highly operative solution that minimizes the risk for us and our clients,” Lear’s Martin Grejták points out. The company has used the solution on a very generous scale – it is being implemented in 44 production plants and 5 technology centres with more coming in the future.

Remote communication with expert teams is only just starting. The technology is planned for use in many other fields, such as training sessions for employees, quality control, working with 3D CAD models and more.

“The cooperation with Lear is unique both in its extent and in how diverse the project is. After a half-year pilot operation when various aspects were analyzed, including OHS and IS systems used in the company, we are now looking for ways to expand this cooperation. Our solution also supports digitization, which complies with the requirements of Industry 4.0 and helps reduce the carbon footprint. So it is fully in line with the latest requirements on industrial companies,” adds Tomáš Vravko, sales manager at AYES.