RealWear announces Microsoft Teams integration for its HMT-1 Augmented Reality headsets for frontline workers

In Augmented Reality News

March 19, 2020 – RealWear, Inc., a provider of hands-free head-mounted tablets for digital transformation in industry, has today announced that it is integrating Microsoft Teams for RealWear’s voice-controlled Android HMT-1 headsets. With Teams on RealWear headsets, industrial workers can use both hands for complex work procedures while remotely collaborating with subject matter experts wherever they are in the world.

“Voice-optimizing Microsoft Teams for our reality-first, digital second headset will deliver measurable ROI in-situ for industry, empowering all first line workers,” said Sanjay Jhawar, President of RealWear. “This integration addresses a common request from our customers to deliver Teams on HMT-1 headsets, enabling them to now operate the Teams app and start a remote meeting with just their voice.”

Firstline workers are often required to work in dangerous environments where the use of both hands is critical for safety and effectiveness. However, they also increasingly require access to a screen to gather information or collaborate. With RealWear’s noise cancellation technology for voice commands combined with an adjustable micro-display screen running Android, RealWear states its HMT-1 is purpose-built for safe collaboration and knowledge transfer at the edge.

“Integrating Microsoft Teams with RealWear’s hands-free connected worker platform brings added safety to workers,” said Emma Williams, Corporate Vice President, Modern Workplace Transformations at Microsoft. “Microsoft Teams on RealWear has the potential to reduce downtime, as well as dependence on handheld devices in dangerous work environments.”

RealWear states that Microsoft Teams for HMT-1 can help to reduce costly travel, and help workers manage issues in dangerous environments such as wind turbines and high-speed or hard-to-reach machines. According to Harvard Business Review, the first line workforce makes up more than 2 billion people around the world, five percent of which are skilled industrial workers with high information needs. Solutions such as Teams on RealWear headsets can help address potential skills gaps that may emerge in the manufacturing sector by allowing knowledge keepers within these sectors to more easily share their expertise with the rest of the workforce.

Video credit: RealWear, Inc./Vimeo

About the author

Sam Sprigg

Sam is the Founder and Managing Editor of Auganix. With a background in research and report writing, he has been covering XR industry news for the past seven years.