Tag: general motors

MasterCard unveils program to make mobile payments device out of any consumer gadgets

This will make it possible for devices, wearable technology and accessories to be used to pay for purchases.

MasterCard has now introduced a new program that has been designed to bring the brand’s mobile payments to a broader spectrum of different types of electronic consumer products.

These include wearables, fashion, automotive, and a range of other categories that haven’t yet been invented.

The program is meant to make it possible for mobile payments to use whatever gadget or device is most convenient for them, so that they can complete mobile payments using the highest available level of security. The launch of the program has come with a number of big name participants that include General Motors, as well as celebrity designer Adam Selman, as well as the Ringly smart jewelry company and the wearable technology firm, Nymi, in addition to the TrackR Bluetooth locator brand. These are only some of the names that have already joined in to take part in the program through their products.

The Money 20/20 conference in Las Vegas played host to the original display of the mobile payments prototypes.

MasterCard Mobile Payments for Diverse GadgetsThis step forward in payment technology and hyper-connectivity is a large one for the Internet of Things (IoT). This will help to make it possible for practically every device used by consumers – from major appliances to vehicles and wearables – to be linked by way of the internet. This will completely revolutionize the way consumers interact and the way they complete various transactions.

Cisco has predicted that by the year 2020, there will be 50 billion connected devices. MasterCard is clearly hoping to play a major part in this technological advancement as it establishes this mobile payments program as a foundation of the IoT. The program, itself, is designed to be an additional branch from the MasterCard Digital Enablement Service (MDES) as well as its Digital Enablement Express program (also known as simply “Express”). By bringing MDES and Express together, it would mean that virtually any kind of device could be securely payment-enabled and linked to a MasterCard account so that it can be used to complete transactions to purchase products and services.

Holden embraces augmented reality to train new workers

Holden makes use of augmented reality provided by University of South Australia

Augmented Reality TechnologyAustralia’s Holden Vehicle Operations, a subsidiary of General Motors, has teamed with the University of South Australia to make use of a new augmented reality system that will help train new workers. Holden has taken note of the potential savings it could see through utilizing an automated, high-tech training system that is equipped with augmented reality. A team of developers from the University of South Australia have crafted the system specifically for Holden, making the manufacturing company one of the very first in its industry to make use of the technology.

Augmented reality beginning to see practical use

Augmented reality is often used in advertising because of its capability to engage consumers with mobile devices. The technology is capable of enhancing the real world with digital content, which can range anywhere from video to simple text. Many companies around the world are becoming enthralled with the prospects of augmented reality in marketing, but Holden believes that the technology can have a more practical use and plans to put this belief to the test.

System to provide new workers with detailed training

The augmented reality system will provide new workers with digital tutorials concerning the manufacturing processes they will be involved in. Two projectors housed in a simple enclosure will be responsible for painting digital displays over the real world environment. These displays will provide trainees with contextual information that is expected to assist in the learning of their profession. The system is considered safer than traditional training methods, which had given inexperienced workers hands-on training with equipment they did not yet understand how to use.

Augmented reality could save Holden some money

Along with creating a safer atmosphere for trainees, Holden expects that the augmented reality system will held drive down the costs associated with training new workers. Because trainees will not be handling equipment they are unfamiliar with, Holden is reducing its exposure to financial loss if an accident were to occur. The system also reduces the need for personnel to devote extensive amounts of time to the training of an individual, allowing experienced workers to keep their productivity high while trainees make use of the detailed augmented reality system.