Wearable tech is starting to make a big splash in today’s world, but maybe not in the way you expected. We’re not talking about fitness trackers, smartwatches or similar consumer-based wearables. The technology has been adapted for use in other industries as well, and those niche devices are responsible for the biggest impact.
Take the KOAMTAC KDC Finger Trigger Glove, for example. It’s a relatively new, commercial-grade wearable device that improves efficiency for shipping and transportation. It connects directly to smartphone and tablet devices via Bluetooth, and allows the wearer to track the necessary info in real-time. It will greatly speed up carrier and shipping processes for manufacturers and resellers alike.
What Is the KDC Finger Trigger Glove?
The glove was developed by KOAMTAC, a company well-known for its barcode scanner and mobile point-of-sale equipment that has helped so many brands and businesses. The KDC Finger Trigger Glove is just one of many wearable solutions we might see used in warehouses to speed up various processes.
The glove is worn on one hand and positioned exactly as you’d expect. It’s ergonomically designed, so there’s no obtrusive profile. This leaves the wearer full range of motion with both hands. Integrated into the glove is a KOAMTAC barcode scanner that can be paired via Bluetooth with Samsung mobile devices, such as the Galaxy Tab or Galaxy Note.
The wearer can move and shift freight as necessary. When it comes time to scan a barcode, they simply tap into the KDC glove, scan away and the necessary data is transmitted to the connected mobile device.
Dr. Hanjin Lee, president and CEO of KOAMTEC, believes that this new form of wearable technology will greatly improve the carrier and shipping industry. “Our scanners are ruggedized and ergonomic, but the only way to have a complete solution scanner is with the accessories, and this accessory is the fastest effective way to scan for transportation and logistics enterprises large or small,” he says. “The user’s hands will be free to lift boxes, so the idea is to be more user-friendly and ergonomic because the user doesn’t have to pick up a heavy device and put it down to scan.”
Wearable Scanners and Smart Devices Will Help Streamline Slow Processes
Many carriers rely on legacy equipment that is just not up to today’s standards. In addition to said equipment being costly, it can often slow down a speedy process through outdated functionality and requirements.
One Dutch company, called Active Ants, equipped its workers with Google Glass and a custom-developed stock app. It led to a significant improvement in performance, with speed up 15 percent and errors down 12 percent. It serves as evidence that wearables can greatly improve carrier processes.
The KDC Finger Trigger Glove is just another device that could improve the industry.
For example, in most cases the workers handling packages and freight must carry a bulky scanning device. Not only is this cumbersome – in the sense that they have to prepare it each time they want to scan a package – this can hinder their work and range of motion. Furthermore, when a package has a barcode in a strange place – one that’s not particularly ideal such as its underside – it can be quite difficult for the individual to lift the parcel and scan it.
With the Finger Trigger Glove, one retains a full range of motion and they can quickly scan barcodes without bulky third-party devices. Plus, the mobile devices that pair up with the glove tend to have a much slimmer profile and weight than standard PDA-like equipment.
“The trend is moving toward a more economical solution, so companies are adopting solutions that include Samsung smartphones so they don’t need fully ruggedized PDA that runs a full version of Windows.”
– Dr. Hanjin Lee, KOAMTAC’s CEO and President
All around, the whole system – glove and connected mobile device – lifts the burden from the average worker who would otherwise be carrying outdated, cumbersome equipment. That translates to an improvement in efficiency and performance across the board.
It won’t be long before we see similar tech take off, as more carriers and resellers update their processes and systems. After all, Amazon already employs robots in its warehouse to improve performance. Is it really such a stretch to believe that it would want to improve the efficiency of their human workers through wearable tech, as well?
YouTube: KOAMTAC ScanGlove for Android Barcode Scanners
Photo credit: KOAMTAC
