Food Safety Strategies recently got the chance to talk to co-founders Don Harvey Sr. and Don Harvey Jr. about Harvin AR's augmented reality technology, and how it can transform sanitation and maintenance.

Liz Parker: How can AR transform sanitation and maintenance?

Don Harvey Jr./Sr.: AR technology allows us to overlay digital content in the real, existing environment not an artificial environment. For Harvin AR, this is important as our objective of creating a smarter workplace requires us to work with people and machines in the real world not an artificial environment. Working in the real world, we then exist in the actual work space where the concept is executed be it presenting an idea or solution, designing something to fit in an existing space or training people on how to work with a piece of equipment or entire production line.

LP: How can AR improve food safety?

DHJ/S: AR alone cannot improve food safety; however, AR does, with proper preparation and use, give us a view not achievable in the past. With this view we can create greater retention and reinforcement in a shorter and more flexible time frame. More effective training at a lower cost. Safety or rather steps and procedures that lead to safer environments are learned and AR provides us with the ability to establish clearer understanding, retention and reinforcement of these practices and procedures.

LP: How does the app help with training challenges?

DHJ/S: Initially it provides a totally different process for learning. The underlying force is the flexibility of how to present real time training in almost any environment. Training can start in a controlled environment such as a class room or workshop. It can then move to the plant floor when applicable and be overlaid on the actual equipment. Each training module can be tailored to a specific task or action such that each can be reviewed and practiced many times. For example: A crew being taught to clean a system can be prepared well in advance using our AR application to prepare them to execute. This shortens the learning curve significantly and reinforces proper procedures.

LP: How were you able to create your app, and what challenges did you face along the way?

DHJ/S: We have over 40 years of experience in the industrial sector and a large part of our existence is “problem solving” which fuels the creation and development of our solutions. The challenge we face is not letting our solutions become too rigid. We understand that problems faced across the industry may be similar but can still be very different. We want to stay focused on solving a problem, but flexible enough it solves that problem masked in different forms.

LP: What will you be doing for Process Expo’s AR showcase?

DHJ/S: Visiting with Exhibitors that are interested in participating in the AR Showcase, introducing and educating on Augmented Reality, and gaining a better understanding what they would like to achieve through the AR Showcase. During PROCESS EXPO, Attendees will be open to explore the AR Showcase and the dedicated Exhibitor spaces for each Exhibitor. Content will be different from space to space, and attendees can expect to gain insight to Presentations, Design/Engineering, and Training within the AR Showcase.

Harvin AR will demonstrate its augmented reality capabilities for food industry sanitation and maintenance tasks at the 2019 Sanitary Design Workshop. For more information, click here.