Smartglasses could save some industries $1 billion per year

Implementation of the wearable technology into US companies is expected to increase from one to ten per cent in the next five years.
Smartglasses such as Google Glass, are giving CIOs a new vision into how the technology could impact their businesses, says Gartner.
The technology research company said that the use of the wearable devices has the potential to improve worker efficiency in markets such as manufacturing, field service, retail and healthcare.
The devices are still an emerging technology, being used in less than one per cent of US businesses, however it is predicted that this figure man increase to around ten per cent in the next five years, especially for companies with offsite workers, like field service personnel and inspectors.
Angela McIntyre, research director at Gartner, said: “In the next three to five years, the industry that is likely to experience the greatest benefit from smartglasses is field service, potentially increasing profits by $1 billion annually.”
Initial adoption will most likely be slow largely due to the lack of apps and services, as well as general benefits that they could provide. However once prices are lowered and more consumer based versions are available, device adoption will be much higher - possibly with half of companies being able to supply the gadgets to employees in need of them.
One of the most obvious uses for the Google Glass is its traffic app possibilities, which could be used by delivery drivers - as well as what it could offer emergency services, making the way they do their jobs safer and with increased efficiency.
Basic functions of the glasses will help being better efficiency to companies with how-to instructions and illustrations on the display saving money on training sessions and meaning that jobs will be done the highest standards with no cutting of corners.
Tuong Nguyen, principal research analyst at Gartner, commented: “Classroom training and tests on the content of manuals can be reduced since much of the partial training can be done ‘on the job with assistance of smartglasses.
“However, training must always include safety and employees should continue to know how to use equipment for routine tasks.”

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