Airbus, one of the world’s largest aerospace firms, has turned to mixed reality (MR) solutions to design passenger cabins for its upcoming commercial aircraft.
The company will provide immersive headsets and technologies to improve design safety, security, and quality. In a recent press statement, Airbus stated that engineers can ‘get things right [the] first time,’ leading to reduced lead times.
Augmented reality (AR) smart glasses and MR headsets can also provide them with critical data and information in their field of view (FoV). Key equipment such as hardhat-mounted immersive kit and goggles can provide this to lead technicians, engineers, and other staff.
For workers, extended reality (XR) tools are dramatically reducing production times and boosting safety at the workplace. Airbus holds longstanding experience with immersive technologies, starting from the 2000s, to design crucial aircraft parts with computer-aided design (CAD).
The European aerospace firm explained that, over the past five years, it embarked on its digital transformation across its operations and services. Its skilled technicians and partners developed data continuity and common digital environments for their manufacturing pipelines.
Such enhancements provide seamless interactions between in-house skill sets and partners of the company.
Airbus noted,
“The emergence of augmented reality solutions and equipment that give operators and engineers a more advanced, hands-free experience directly in their workplace has only accelerated the pace”
Airbus has leveraged several key technologies in its immersive journey. Firstly, Unity Technologies has become instrumental in its development of in-house industrial metaverse tools. Additional technologies have created use cases and proofs of concept across design, training, manufacturing, maintenance, and operations (M&O).
Following the Paris Air Show 2023, Airbus launched plans to integrate VR and AR tools to develop future, conceptualised A320 cabins.
Easyjet Comments on XR-Powered Aviation
Shane Lord, Director of Strategy and Fleet, Easyjet, said his company was “always interested” to learn where technology could play a role in “driving efficiency or improving our customer experience.”
He continued,
“The potential of augmented reality technology is significant and could range from cabin improvements to more efficient engineering troubleshooting. We look forward to working with Airbus to develop this further in the future”
Regarding engineering, Airbus Helicopter’s Brisbane-based teams leveraged XR tools to design the Super Puma. Further collaborations with AR led to A350 cabin mockups at its engineering teams in Hamberg, Germany and tooling integration tests in Mirabel, Canada.
Manufacturing: Airbus and Microsoft
Airbus also leverages immersive technologies across its manufacturing workflows, where operators use AR smart glasses to conduct hands-free remote guidance and tasks. The company benefits from displaying key information while handling large aircraft machinery and parts.
This often takes place at the aerospace giant’s Getafe facility, where Airbus converts its A330 aircraft into multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTTs). Since, 1999, it has used MR tools to fulfil 70 percent of its work orders for electrical and hydraulic installations, according to the company.
Future Plans, Future Proof with XR
Airbus plans to expand MR manufacturing to its A400M and C295 projects and integrate them further into the firm’s information systems.
Additional projects include Microsoft HoloLens 2 headsets used to overlay holograms in physical spaces to complete tasks and record activities. Furthermore, Airbus has launched several industrial-grade apps for drilling and fitting brackets at the French facility, and complete quality control protocols at its Hamberg site.
Future initiatives may involve checking cabin cable harnesses, installing maintenance labels on aircraft wings, and other functions.
