A dominant player in industrial augmented reality has emerged within the CSG Group. The new product, a result of the collaboration between smARtoo and Pocket Virtuality, has had global ambitions from the outset and is set to enter international markets soon.
In 2017, a group of tech enthusiasts from Prague decided that our everyday reality wasn’t enough and needed to be expanded. Thus, Pocket Virtuality set out to enhance it through computer screens and virtual reality headsets. Initially, their technological know-how attracted the interest of the CSG giant, which acquired a 70% stake in the company a year ago. Now, they are even the leaders in their segment within the Czech Republic.
"When the first version of smARtoo was developed and we saw the global potential of the product, we spun it off into a separate entity and began looking for investors," explains Robert Paskovský from smARtoo. "Initially, we focused on venture capital, but ultimately decided to seek a strategic investor, which turned out to be the Aerospace division of the CSG Group. By joining forces with Pocket Virtuality, we’ve been able to assemble an outstanding team of developers who complement each other exceptionally well, while also integrating our products," he added.
The merger of these two augmented reality projects lays the groundwork for massive deployment of the technology into everyday operations. This is why Pocket Virtuality representatives are open about their ambitions to expand their business on a global scale.
The integration of Pocket Virtuality’s Fata Morgana system with smARtoo has created a new product, Lumnio, which leverages augmented reality, with a strong impact expected in field applications. Any technician equipped with smart glasses, or even just a tablet or smartphone, can view the workflow directly in front of their eyes, without needing to consult a paper manual. Everything is displayed and demonstrated on their device screen or smart glasses. Additionally, a more experienced colleague can assist remotely by sharing visuals in real-time.
The new solution also incorporates machine learning systems that can, based on captured images, suggest the correct steps or even detect issues for the technician on-site. CSG Group’s companies demonstrate their serious global ambitions with ongoing work on a real-time speech translator, enabling technicians from different language backgrounds to communicate seamlessly.
According to Bohuslav Paule, a board member of Pocket Virtuality, the product will be available on common online marketplaces like Google Play, Apple Store, and Microsoft Store, though it will initially launch in the Czech and Slovak markets.
“Based on our research, it has significant potential, and we plan to achieve an annual turnover of 250 million CZK with our solution by 2028,” Paule envisions.
In recent years, Michal Strnad’s CSG Group has intensely focused on technological development, particularly through its CSG Aerospace division. “CSG’s strategy includes leveraging breakthrough and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence, big data, robotic and autonomous systems, advanced sensory systems, as well as augmented and virtual reality,” states Bohuslav Přikryl, Vice President of CSG Aerospace for Research, Development, and Innovation.
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