Annual report 2015

Sirris and Evolar devise comfortable system for wearing smart glasses

‘Smartpick’ is an innovative order picking system developed by Ghent-based firm Evolar. Using smart glasses and Evolar’s software, order pickers can scan codes on goods simply by looking at them. They are then shown specific tasks in the corner of their vision so they know exactly what has to be done with each item. No more paper checklists and handheld scanners! Only one thing let it down: the hardware – i.e. the wearing system for attaching the smart glasses to the order picker – was ergonomically not as comfortable or effective as it could have been. Evolar therefore sought advice from Sirris in 2015.

Ergonomic and functional wearing system for smart glasses
Flexible design and manufacturing process
3D-printed prototype with extensive user-group testing

Ghent-based firm Evolar develops technology for wearable, hands-free applications in the logistics sector. Its ‘Smartpick’ application, for example, enables more efficient order picking, while ‘Smartsort’ speeds up the sorting process for small packages.

“Following an in-depth problem analysis, Sirris designed and 3D-printed a brand-new wearing system and optimal connector based on the interior structure of a welder’s helmet.”

smart glasses evolar

Ergonomic optimisation

In the past, order pickers using the Evolar software could opt for either spectacle frames or a headset. However, people who already wore spectacles found it hard to fit the smart glasses over their ordinary frames. Also, the smart glasses heat up slightly when used, which can create discomfort around the wearer’s temples. The headset solves this problem but is not very stable. Evolar therefore decided to look for a new wearing system, one that was both more ergonomic and faster to put on. In the distribution sector, every minute counts!

From 3D scan to 3D print

Working with Evolar, Sirris examined which wearing systems and smart glasses would be suitable for the new design. Following an in-depth problem analysis focusing on, among other things, ergonomic and functional requirements and different technological concepts, Sirris’s Additive Manufacturing Team chose to base the new system on the interior structure of a welder’s helmet. To make the analysis and design process as flexible as possible, it was decided to 3D-scan the smart glasses. An ingenious connector linking the wearing system and the smart glasses was also designed and 3D-printed. That prototype was extensively user-tested, and was adapted a number of times until it met with the approval of the entire test group.

Efficiency gain

The use of 3D scanning means additional flexibility for Evolar. The design of the connector and wearing system can be adapted in an instant, and the manufacturing process is also more efficient. With injection moulding, new moulds would need to be made every time the design of the smart glasses was altered, in order to produce an adapted wearing system. 3D printing puts an end to this time-consuming and expensive process while offering greater flexibility in terms of the number of units produced. In the near future, Evolar will work with Sirris to further refine the wearing system, making it customisable and even quicker to put on.

This film shows the functionality