HomeLauren Gibbons PaulAutomation World Contributing WriterHomeHardened wearables bring help into the fieldVoice-controlled, hands-free wearable devices are bringing virtual and augmented reality to field service, training and other uses.HomeHardened Wearables Bring Help Into the FieldVoice-controlled, hands-free wearable devices are bringing virtual and augmented reality to field service, training and other uses.HomeDigital twins: a critical toolAs a sidebar to Automation World's August cover story on optimizing power consumption in a plant, this article explores a key trend: creating a digital twin of production equipment fueled by real-time data to have a simulated environment in which to experiment with different control strategies for energy consumption.HomeAutonomous instruments: Beyond smart controlsYou’ve heard of smart instruments, but in the next generation, controls will be self-directed and able to head off problems—no operator needed. One problem: Will we trust autonomous instruments?