Deploying voice technology is extremely beneficial for the automotive industry to weather the pandemic. Automotive factory production was down considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a significant upturn in production levels is expected in response to an increase in automobile sales quickly returning to pre-pandemic levels. Now the challenge is to ramp up manufacturing operations to meet greater demand for new vehicles. As a result, many businesses are scrambling to hire the workers they need to deliver.
The reality is that manufacturing, in general, is facing a looming and growing labor shortage. According to Deloitte, as retirees leave the industry, the manufacturing industry’s labor shortage is projected to reach 2.4 million by 2028.
While the big carmakers can offer higher wages that attract workers, their suppliers are challenged. They are challenged to keep up with the growing demands and limited resources. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, staffing levels have yet to reach pre-pandemic levels. There are 25,000 fewer nonsupervisory workers at auto supplier companies in late November than in the pre-pandemic period.
From parts picking to inspection and maintenance, the automotive industry is filled with operations that demand streamlined workflows. To support their employees, companies are increasingly turning to voice-enabled solutions to give step-by-step instructions. By applying the power of voice technology, they can reduce steps and eliminate errors. They also speed up the time from assembly and production to delivery.
Voice technology is proving to be a boon for industries that need to get workers up to speed quickly. These intuitive solutions are making it possible to train new workers in less than a day and become proficient in one to two weeks.
Zebra is teaming with AccuSpeechMobile, a device-based voice-enabling solution provider. Its aim is to support the display of information on smart glasses in conjunction with voice, scanning, and automation. It will empower workflows that involve vision picking, mobile inspection, maintenance, and repair.
Automated workflows direct users through a process using audio input-output and visual information. This leaves workers’ hands free to focus on the task at hand. Text and images can be combined with voice commands to provide additional visual cues to the user which reduces errors and increases efficiencies.
Voice automation capabilities made possible by the AccuSpeechMobile solution can now be integrated with Zebra mobile computers. It can also be integrated with the HD4000 rugged enterprise head-mounted display. Manufacturing operations can also tailor vision, voice, and scanning solutions for their unique processes.
The HD4000’s lightweight optical module presents information to users within their field of view. By viewing the translucent data overlay and listening to voice commands, users can access the right information at the right time. It delivers a richer and a satisfying work experience in the workflow process. In addition to the HD4000, the AccuSpeechMobile voice automation solution is validated for use with Zebra Android devices. This covers the TC77 mobile computer.
Any manufacturing operation can quickly deploy the AccuSpeechMobile voice technology. Solutions are available for multimodal workflows include the below:
A text-to-speech interface supporting more than 40 languages
Text and images are projected in the user’s field of view on the heads-up display, providing crisp and sharp image quality
Multimodal support for barcode scanning is provided as part of the workflow process. And it’s all automated. AccuSpeechMobile automates the workflow process, including voice, vision, and scanning.
Now, auto manufacturing facilities facing labor shortages can leverage these powerful combinations to ramp up their workforces. Per Bob Bova, CEO of AccuSpeechMobile, “reducing the time-to-ramp for new workers from several weeks to a few days is straightforward. It is within reach for many organizations.”
Are you interested in learning more about voice technology? Find out how AccuSpeechMobile can help you voice-automate critical workflow, streamline processes and drive competitive advantage.
