Industrial technology group CSG is expanding its capabilities in the field of augmented reality. CSG Aerospace division acquires smARtoo (www.smartoo.tech) to support field workers. The price of the transaction is private. The division has been part of Pocket Virtuality for more than a year, whose augmented reality solutions complement smARtoo very well. The combination of the know-how and products of both companies creates the most important player on the Czech market in this area. The product, which combines augmented reality with machine learning elements, will have a wide application and Pocket Virtuality representatives have no secret global ambitions.
For several months now, the development teams of Pocket Virtuality's Fata Morgana product and smARtoo have been working intensively on a unique solution called Lumnio, which will combine the advantages of both products into one. For example, it will allow remote servicing, where a less skilled worker can do the job and be guided remotely by an experienced colleague thanks to augmented reality, without having to make a complicated move to the repair site. The digitisation of service manuals and repair procedures carried out by experienced professionals will also provide a way to transfer know-how efficiently in an industrial environment where skilled professionals are permanently in short supply.
"When the first version of smARtoo was created and we saw the global potential of the product, we spun it off into a separate entity and started looking for investors. Initially we focused on venture capital, but eventually turned to finding a strategic investor, which was CSG's Aerospace division. By joining Pocket Virtuality, we were also able to put together a great team of developers that complemented each other in a very interesting way, and to connect our products," says Robert Paskovský from smARtoo about the genesis of the negotiations with CSG.
The basis of the upcoming solution is to literally free the hands of the service worker. Through smart glasses or even a simple mobile phone, the worker can see specific instructions on how to perform a service operation without having to flip through a manual. Alternatively, a more experienced colleague can guide them when working remotely. The product uses advanced technologies such as augmented reality or artificial intelligence to simplify and streamline the work of service technicians. For example, it is possible to suggest appropriate workflows based on image analysis, or even to detect a fault or the correctness of a particular task. With global ambitions in mind, the developers are working on a language translator that will enable voice communication between workers speaking different languages.
"We will offer the product in the form of SaaS, i.e. software as a service. The advantage of this form of sales is the reduction of the initial investment in the acquisition of the product. We also know from experience that a major obstacle to using augmented reality tools is usually the need to purchase expensive specialised glasses. Our new product is thus compatible with hardware from various providers and works on ordinary mobile phones or tablets," Bohuslav Paule highlights the advantages of the Lumnio solution.
The product will first be launched on the Czech and Slovak markets. However, its creators will soon start offering it abroad as well. "We want to rely on our network of local partners for global expansion. Our product will also be available on major app stores such as Google Play, Apple Store and Microsoft Store. We are now at the stage where we have the product almost ready for market placement. According to our research, it has a lot of potential and we therefore plan that in 2028 we could generate sales of CZK 250 million per year with our solution," adds Bohuslav Paule.
About Pocket Virtuality
Technology company Pocket Virtuality was established in 2017. Since 2023 it has been part of the industrial-technological group CSG of entrepreneur Michal Strnad, specifically its division CSG Aerospace. Pocket Virtuality develops professional software tools for industrial use with augmented reality elements. Its Fata Morgana product, which enables remote technical collaboration in a 3D scan environment, is used by companies such as Skoda Auto and Skoda JS. The company is currently finalising a new product, Lumnio, which was created by combining the know-how and software products Pocket Virtuality and smARtoo.
