Screenless technology uses augmented reality to superimpose interactable imageries on users’ surroundings. AR is redefining the future of experiences. This article brings forth applications of augmented reality in designing screenless interfaces. It also discusses the psychological impact of augmenting computer-generated visuals in the real world.

Applications of Augmented Reality in Screenless Technology

According to MarketsandMarkets research, the screenless display market is projected to reach $5.7 billion by 2020. In a near-future, augmented reality would be able to project imagery onto almost any surface and medium. However, there’s another aspect of screenless interfaces accompanied by audio and haptics.

AR Audio

Imagine you come across a billboard with a picture of diamond jewellery. You’re impressed and want to know more about the ad. Typically, you’ll pick your phone, type some search queries and then get to know the information about the product. What if you can skip the process and get the information instantly?

AR Audio gives audio responses according to the user’s visual cues. It fulfils the user’s need for information on demand immediately. The technology is advancing to an extent that the AR device can measure your gaze direction and locate the objects in your range of vision!

Sturfee’s Visual Positioning Service (VPS) is a remarkable attempt towards AR innovations.

Seamless Projection

The recent development in augmented reality eliminates the need for bulky headsets or special glasses to see an augmented view of the world. In fact, the screenless display market is projected to reach $5.7 Bn by 2020.

This is possible by seamlessly projecting the imagery in a shared physical space. That is, mapping the imagery on a street or a playground, where many people can simultaneously witness the virtual aspects of augmented reality. The ability to project visuals seamlessly on any surface is one of the biggest applications of augmented reality feasible today.

Humane Creatures

The next take on coupling augmented reality with artificial intelligence is the development of humane creatures or avatars. These human-like intelligent beings can act as a learning companion for children suffering from autism. Augmented reality can smartly interact with children, ask questions, encourage, offer suggestions, and can be a companion in their tough time.

In her book – The Art of Screen Time, Anya Kamenetz mentions Alex, a research project directed by Cassell’s PhD student Samantha Finkelstein. Alex is a gender-ambiguous 8-year-old intelligent augmented reality avatar. During an experiment in a classroom at a charter school in Pittsburgh, students along with Alex discuss their know-how about a picture of a dinosaur. Alex couldn’t catch everything that other students were saying and sometimes his responses are inappropriate. But, this illusion of conversation is a step forward towards the new developments in the AR arena.

Screenless Time?

‘Modifying reality’ is putting a question mark on the psychological impact of augmented reality. Augmented reality together with artificial intelligence is creating environments next to real. Are our mental-models ready to adapt? Or a sudden disruption is going to play with our sentiments? Unfortunately, there are no concrete answers to these questions.

Today, kids (aged between 8 & 18) spend on average more than 7 hours every day looking at screens. However, the new AHA guideline recommends screen time to be at a maximum of two hours per day. In the not so distant future, kids will be growing up with AR accompanying them throughout their day. Whether they are learning about something new or shopping online, AR will have merged and formed a virtual tether with their daily routines.

While screenless AR does pose several questions around its ethical benefits — with responsible use we can harness the best from this technology.

Augmented Reality Best Practices

While using Augmented Reality in design, keep in mind the users’ real-world context. Do not distract or mislead them for social, political, or economic benefits.
Do not play with emotions or drown user senses into meaningless things.
Augmented Reality is data-rich. Ensure the safety of users’ data.

Concluding Remarks

Haptics, gesture control, Synaptics, and triggered imagery are adding intractability to the screenless technology. Today, video games and retail are harnessing augmented reality the most. The future awaits more applications of augmented reality to build screenless interfaces across different industries.

Smart Manufacturing Dashboards: A Real-Time Guide for Data-Driven Ops

By : Divyanjali Gupta

Published on Jul 31, 2025

Data Science Manufacturing Analytics Smart Manufacturing

Smart Manufacturing starts with real-time visibility.

Manufacturing companies today generate data by the second through sensors, machines, ERP systems, and MES platforms. But without real-time insights, even the most advanced production lines are essentially flying blind.

Manufacturers are implementing real-time dashboards that serve as control towers for their daily operations, enabling them to shift from reactive to proactive decision-making. These tools are essential to the evolution of Smart Manufacturing, where connected systems, automation, and intelligent analytics come together to drive measurable impact.

Data is available, but what’s missing is timely action.

For many plant leaders and COOs, one challenge persists: operational data is dispersed throughout systems, delayed, or hidden in spreadsheets. And this delay turns into a liability.

Real-time dashboards help uncover critical answers:

What caused downtime during last night’s shift?
Was there a delay in maintenance response?
Did a specific inventory threshold trigger a quality issue?

By converting raw inputs into real-time manufacturing analytics, dashboards make operational intelligence accessible to operators, supervisors, and leadership alike, enabling teams to anticipate problems rather than react to them.

1. Why Static Reports Fall Short

Reports often arrive late—after downtime, delays, or defects have occurred.
Disconnected data across ERP, MES, and sensors limits cross-functional insights.
Static formats lack embedded logic for proactive decision support.

2. What Real-Time Dashboards Enable

Line performance and downtime trends
Track OEE in real time and identify underperforming lines.

Predictive maintenance alerts
Utilize historical and sensor data to identify potential part failures in advance.

Inventory heat maps & reorder thresholds
Anticipate stockouts or overstocks based on dynamic reorder points.

Quality metrics linked to operator actions
Isolate shifts or procedures correlated with spikes in defects or rework.

These insights allow production teams to drive day-to-day operations in line with Smart Manufacturing principles.

3. Dashboards That Drive Action

Role-based dashboards
Dashboards can be configured for machine operators, shift supervisors, and plant managers, each with a tailored view of KPIs.

Embedded alerts and nudges
Real-time prompts, like “Line 4 below efficiency threshold for 15+ minutes,” reduce response times and minimize disruptions.

Cross-functional drill-downs
Teams can identify root causes more quickly because users can move from plant-wide overviews to detailed machine-level data in seconds.

4. What Powers These Dashboards

Data lakehouse integration
Unified access to ERP, MES, IoT sensor, and QA systems—ensuring reliable and timely manufacturing analytics.

ETL pipelines
Real-time data ingestion from high-frequency sources with minimal latency.

Visualization tools
Custom builds using Power BI, or customized solutions designed for frontline usability and operational impact.

Smart Manufacturing in Action: Reducing Market Response Time from 48 Hours to 30 Minutes

Mantra Labs partnered with a North American die-casting manufacturer to unify its operational data into a real-time dashboard. Fragmented data, manual reporting, delayed pricing decisions, and inconsistent data quality hindered operational efficiency and strategic decision-making.

Tech Enablement:

Centralized Data Hub with real-time access to critical business insights.
Automated report generation with data ingestion and processing.
Accurate price modeling with real-time visibility into metal price trends, cost impacts, and customer-specific pricing scenarios.
Proactive market analysis with intuitive Power BI dashboards and reports.

Business Outcomes:

Faster response to machine alerts
Quality incidents traced to specific operator workflows
4X faster access to insights led to improved inventory optimization.

As this case shows, real-time dashboards are not just operational tools—they’re strategic enablers.

(Learn More: Powering the Future of Metal Manufacturing with Data Engineering)

Key Takeaways: Smart Manufacturing Dashboards at a Glance

Aspect	What You Should Know
1. Why Static Reports Fall Short	Delayed insights after issues occur Disconnected systems (ERP, MES, sensors) No real-time alerts or embedded decision logic
2. What Real-Time Dashboards Enable	Track OEE and downtime in real-time Predictive maintenance using sensor data Dynamic inventory heat maps Quality linked to operators
3. Dashboards That Drive Action	Role-based views (operator to CEO) Embedded alerts like “Line 4 down for 15+ mins” Drilldowns from plant-level to machine-level
4. What Powers These Dashboards	Unified Data Lakehouse (ERP + IoT + MES) Real-time ETL pipelines Power BI or custom dashboards built for frontline usability

Conclusion

Smart Manufacturing dashboards aren’t just analytics tools—they’re productivity engines. Dashboards that deliver real-time insight empower frontline teams to make faster, better decisions—whether it’s adjusting production schedules, triggering preventive maintenance, or responding to inventory fluctuations.

Explore how Mantra Labs can help you unlock operations intelligence that’s actually usable.

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The Future is Screenless