Augmented Reality in Logistics 4.0: implications for the human work

The Industry 4.0 paradigm is spreading in logistics processes since integrating 4.0 technologies in logistics tasks guarantees several benefits compared to traditional processes. However, there are still open questions related to impacts on the workforce, including problems related to skills, competence, and several ethical and social issues. This paper focuses on one of the main technologies used in logistics: Augmented Reality (AR). Based on a deductive research approach, which considers a well-founded knowledge represented by extant literature mediated by the authors' direct experience in interacting with companies, the main applications of AR in the logistics field and its implications for human work are investigated. In particular, the three logistics activities most impacted by the AR implementation are analysed (warehouse, transportation, and training), focusing both on the benefits in terms of support and augmentation for the operators and some disadvantages, technical limitations, and human barriers observed during practice and experimentation.