Nestlé expands usage of AR technology to support production

Nestlé has decided to expand the usage of augmented reality (AR) technology to offer remote support to production and research and development (R&D) sites amid coronavirus (Covid-19) travel restrictions.

The Swiss firm will also use this technology to remotely connect with suppliers.

The AR technology will be used by the company for setting up or redesigning factory lines, carrying out important maintenance works and checking equipment with suppliers.

Nestlé noted that the technology helped its R&D teams in the UK to work with its suppliers to remotely redesign and test new confectionery moulds for KitKat.

In Thailand, the technology allowed the company’s R&D teams to renew the existing and install new production lines and technologies for a dairy ready-to-drink (RTD) factory in Navanakorn, as well as facilitated factory completion ahead of schedule.

The AR technology also enabled the company to install a new production line for infant cereals in Shuangcheng, China.

Nestlé Manufacturing global head David Findlay said: “Protecting our people is a top priority for Nestlé, something that has been clearly demonstrated time and time again during the Covid-19 crisis. The remote support approach isn’t just a response to Covid-19 though.

“Going forward, remote assistance will become a new way of working. It will increase speed and efficiency in facilities and reduce travel to Nestlé sites, helping us reduce CO₂ emissions across our operations.

“I am extremely proud that our teams have been able to expand our use of remote assistance technology so quickly to ensure we were able to continue to provide technical support. That has kept our factories running smoothly and delivered new investment projects on time.”

The company further explained that its specialists can advise on complex tasks using tools such as a remote desktop, smart glasses, 360° cameras and 3D software without travelling to the site.

Experts across the company and external providers are using remote assistance tools to connect with people at factories and other facilities around the globe.

The technology is said to have enhanced the efficiency across operations as it allowed the experts to support multiple projects at the same time.

Nestlé Product and Technology Development head Thomas Hauser said: “To ensure business continuity, we accelerated the use of remote assistance and augmented reality technologies across our global R&D organisation.

“These innovative technologies enabled our experts to provide support to our factories worldwide for critical activities such as the new set-up of production lines, as well as new equipment start-up, helping us to ensure that new product launches were delivered on time to consumers.”