Augmented reality in Heineken’s global supply chain: the Digital Technology Assist project.

Abstract

Nowadays, there is a growing demand from companies to gain insight in the possibilities and potential of Industry 4.0 technologies. Heineken, which is moving its first steps toward digital transformation, decided to develop tangible Proof of Concepts at the shop floor level with the clear goal of exploring the potentialities that digital technologies can have in its global supply chain. By creating a series of work-streams, Heineken involved the academic environment in the Digital Technology Assist programme. This thesis analyses the first work-stream, on the use of Augmented Reality in the maintenance field, and looks deeply into the innovation process which contributed to the creation and the consequent test of a digital solution in the Heineken’s brewery of Pollein (AO). Moreover, it shows evidence of the real benefits derived from the introduction of digital assisted maintenance work instructions with the use of Augmented Reality smart glasses. All the insights and analysis collected in this thesis are the result of a six-months period project, which was managed using the Agile approach, based on an incremental and iterative way of working. The prototype, created in collaboration with DEL_FabLab and Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, is an application for Microsoft HoloLens which assists and guides step-by-step maintenance operators in performing a valve overhaul maintenance activity.