Google Glass didn’t do so well when it first launched, and is no longer in production for consumers, but the high-tech glasses are getting a second life in manufacturing. One of the pioneers of this technology is AGCO, according to a report published by Public Broadcasting Atlanta.

Minnesota Plant

At one of AGCO’s factories in Jackson, Minn., Heather Erickson is building an engine before it goes on to the assembly line. She’s wearing her red and black AGCO uniform over her blue jeans. There’s something else on her head: Google Glass.

“It took a little getting used to, but once I got used to it, it’s just been awesome,” Erickson said.

The glasses tell her what to do should she forget, for example, which part goes where. “It’s a lot better now. I don’t have to leave my area to go look at the computer every time I need to look up something,” Erickson said.

Augmented Reality

With the glasses, she scans the serial number on the part she’s working on. This brings up manuals, photos or videos she may need. She can also use voice commands to take photos or leave notes for the next shift worker.

These augmented-reality devices will soon help workers at other companies like Boeing and General Electric do their work faster and more efficiently.

It’s sort of like the Pokémon Go for manufacturing. Just like the game, which involves catching fictional creatures called Pokémon, Google Glass uses augmented reality.

Images, text and sounds are superimposed or added to what the wearer sees in front of them.

Virtual reality is different from augmented reality in that the goal of virtual reality is to transport and make you feel you are in another physical space. Augmented reality keeps you in your present environment, while adding additional information to your line of sight.