Berise and Interface Complete Field Test for Next-Generation Manufacturing Operations Foundation Using Digital Twins and Smart Glasses

Berise (Headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan; CEO: Toshiyuki Hatama; hereinafter "Berise") and Interface (Headquartered in Hiroshima, Japan; hereinafter "Interface") have jointly completed a field test for a manufacturing work support system utilizing digital twins and smart glasses for the 2025 fiscal year.

In this verification, they built a system that links worker behavior, locations, process information, and recorded data in real-time for labor-intensive tasks such as work logging, verification, photography, and progress monitoring. This demonstrated the system's effectiveness as a next-generation operational foundation that accumulates information without interrupting workflow and enables remote monitoring.

This initiative aims to build a "field data foundation" that connects to future AI utilization, skill transfer, process optimization, and remote support, rather than just short-term operational improvements. By collaborating with Interface, which has deep knowledge of manufacturing floors, and Berise, which specializes in XR and digital twin technologies, they conducted the verification with a focus on practical implementation.

Background

Domestic manufacturing faces serious challenges such as labor shortages due to an aging population, dependency on skilled workers, paper-based records, and fragmented information management. While facility monitoring and core system digitization have progressed, workers on the floor still bear significant loads regarding judgment and record-keeping.

What is needed is a mechanism to effortlessly digitize not just facilities but "human work" to improve site operations. Berise and Interface aimed to create a new operational model where information can be recorded, shared, and utilized on-site by combining spatial visualization through digital twins with hands-free work support via smart glasses.

Overview of the Field Test

Targeting Interface's factory floor, the test built a system that integrates information such as inspection sheets, manuals, and work photos with on-premises servers and digital twins.

Specifically, workers wear smart glasses to log in and check in at specific work locations to display relevant inspection sheets and manuals. This allows for hands-free, on-site completion of checks and records that were previously managed through paper or PCs. Furthermore, photos taken during work steps are automatically linked to product and process information and saved to on-premises servers, reducing the need for manual sorting and post-processing.

In addition, site operations are reflected in a 3D factory model (digital twin), allowing managers to remotely grasp "who is doing what work, where, and when."

Results of the Field Test

This verification confirmed the effectiveness of a foundation that links work information and record data in real-time without stopping floor operations. Key achievements include:

- Digitization of ancillary tasks like checking paper forms and sorting photos, leading to reduced worker burden. - Improved record accuracy and reduced administrative man-hours through automatic linking of photo data with product and process info. - Real-time visualization of site status on a digital twin, enabling managers to oversee the floor remotely. - Construction of a data foundation for future AI image analysis, process improvement, and skill transfer.

Quantitative results include:

- Work record sorting man-hours: 9.3% reduction (per day, due to automatic linking). - Manager monitoring time: 95% reduction (significant reduction in search time per item).

These metrics are currently being organized as indicators for future development.

Roles of the Two Companies

As an industrial PC manufacturer, Interface provided practical field expertise, identified site issues, and conducted validation from an operational perspective. Berise utilized its knowledge in XR, 3D space construction, digital twins, and UI/UX design to design and develop the work support features for smart glasses and the digital twin visualization foundation.

Through this collaboration, they successfully verified a highly implementable site DX model targeting worker actions and records, not just facilities and management systems.