New wearable technology for remote field service

CSIRO has been beavering away on new wearable technology that it hopes will improve the delivery of expert services to remote field workers, particularly in the mining industry.

The organisation’s website outlines the development of (and plans for) its ReMoTe (Remote Mobile Tele-assistance) technology.

ReMoTE is hands-free, wearable technology that connects remote experts with on-site operators to provide real-time assistance without the need to fly an expert into a remote location.

Designed to operate in various environmental conditions, ReMoTe consists of a helper station and an operator station, with both the helper and the operator using a wearable computer that includes a helmet-mounted camera and a near-eye display.

The display provides a shared visual space between the off-site helper and the on-site operator, allowing the helper to point at objects and show the operator how to perform actions. The operator can see the pointing and gestures from the helper’s virtual hands.

The whole system has been designed for ease of use, so technicians can operate it without any training or prior skills.

ReMoTe offers a number of advantages over traditional support models, including the productivity gains associated with reduced repair costs and operational downtime; increased conformance from having access to experts in real time to reduce mistakes; the opportunity to improve workforce skills by offering additional training that wasn’t previously available; and reducing strain on experts, allowing them to deliver their knowledge in a more effective manner.

CSIRO says that, while the original application for ReMoTe was mining, there are a number of additional sectors that could benefit from the technology, including:

• remote maintenance for the automotive, rail and aviation industries;
• remote medical assistance for field health workers;
• remote vocational training programs which require physical and manual skills;
• cultural programs that link experts in remote Aboriginal communities with art students;
• remote inspection of product conformance for the manufacturing industry;
• emergency response scenarios; and
• remote delivery of expert services for small and medium enterprises.

CSIRO is working with a commercialisation partner to bring the technology to market. You can see it in action using this link.