Creative path to knowledge and smart glasses

Creative path to knowledge is a programme that brings together higher education and labour market and allows the students to gain important hands-on experience and knowledge. The focus is for these students to find creative and innovative solutions to challenges in the corporate sector and social environment.

The projects last between 3 and 5 months and include groups of 6 to 8 students who are guided by pedagogical mentors and professional mentors. Additionally, an economic or a social organisation may join the project. The programme connects students, companies and faculties, and encourages sharing of good practice, experience and knowledge of academia and experts from the economy. Students gain practical knowledge, experience as well as make connections that can further advance their future careers. Companies gain help with problem solving and find employment candidates. Faculties can connect theory with practice and can practically update their study programmes and roll-out new innovative approach to teaching.

More about the programme

Augmented reality in logistics: SMART GLASSES

A recent Forrester research report predicts rapid growth in the emerging market of smart glasses – by 2025, US companies are to spend an estimated 30 billion dollars on smart glasses. The projection opens up a number of topical questions related to the use of augmented reality technologies in logistics. Faculty of Logistics, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Faculty of Medicine of the University of Maribor joined forces to tackle some of these issues in the scope of a project called ‘’Analysis of the effects of smart glasses on vision and productivity: commissioner case study’’ which was implemented under the programme ‘’Creative path to knowledge 2017-2020’’.   

Smart glasses are a type of head-mounted displays that look just like any other eyewear at first sight.  Smart glasses typically have multiple features to allow users to both display and analyse information relevant to their surroundings as they can connect to the internet. Smart glasses display real-time information directly onto the user’s field of vision by using augmented reality techniques or can perform more complex tasks, such as run applications and support internet connectivity. The field has aroused huge interest of both equipment suppliers and stakeholders in various work environments. The function of smart glasses is to supply a person participating in a work process with the information required for their work. Smart glasses are already being used to improve quality, standardise workflows, accelerate decision making, and enhance communication in logistics, manufacturing, and maintenance operations throughout the supply chain. Unlike paper documents, mobile terminals, smartphones or tablets, smart glasses have the potential to help workers do their jobs better and more efficiently with their lightweight, hands-free design which does not get in the way performing physical tasks in the workplace.

The project, which received a contribution from the European Social Fund standing at EUR 19,075.00, included eight students and two mentors who joined forces with the company Špica, an identification and IoT specialist, and dr. Adolf Drolc Community Health Centre Maribor.

Source and photo credit: Finance