Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD) recently teamed up with the United States Navy to deploy a novel mixed reality (MR) solution. Staff will use the FMD FM OnBoard tool for remote collaboration tools and asset monitoring on military vessels.
The branch’s Naval Seal Systems Command contract will offer Navy personnel hands-free and bespoke AR tools to complete numerous tasks. The solution aims to streamline operations, reduce repair times, and lower equipment downtimes, among others.
A recently approved Naval Sea Systems Command contract authorizes validation of FM OnBoard’s mission readiness by implementing its anomaly detection system for @FairbanksMorse engines. Learn more –https://t.co/T75ve5ummV #stackingthedecks #FMD #freedomoftheseas pic.twitter.com/sNlC9fZdHf
— Fairbanks Morse Defense (@FairbanksMorse) January 11, 2023
The company’s FM OnBoard technologies back naval operations with remote guidance and 3D simulation training modules. Using digital twins and overlays, users can leverage the solution’s hands-free interface to collaborate with virtual assets. The FMD aims to connect headset wearers with remote guidance experts using MR headsets, digital twins, and real-time 3D (RT3D) assets.
FMD Chief Executive George Whittier said in a statement,
“Through our commitment to equipping the U.S. fleet with the latest in technological innovation and strategic solutions, like our FM OnBoard remote collaboration and asset monitoring tool, Fairbanks Morse Defense is revolutionizing technology solutions for maritime defenses. Technicians can instantly leverage remote expertise from anywhere in the world, which reduces costs and ensures that crews are always mission ready”
FM OnBoard Remote Collaboration Features
Some of the platform’s top features include:
- Remote Collaboration Tools with party-to-party videoconferencing. The platform uses AR-powered immersive content to engage with colleagues and remote experts in real-time.
- Asset Monitoring with cloud-based data to offer data visualisation reports, fleet-level views, and assets, among others.
- Instruction Authoring for AR content for training personnel, providing guided walkthroughs, performing standard work procedures, and recording evidence.
- Anomaly Detection using machine learning (ML) tools to locate and report negative asset performance.
- Digital Twins for reflecting assets in real-time to interact with local resources.
US Military Leverages XR
The news comes amid developments for US military branches, with the Army approving additional testing of its Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS).
Personnel received 5,000 units of its initial version of the Microsoft HoloLens 2-based headset last year. An additional 5,000 units of its version 1.1 devices will arrive later in 2023, Army spokesperson stated.
The immersive tools empower soldiers and staff with night and thermal visuals, situational awareness, target sighting, and Microsoft Azure cloud computing.
The Army’s Application Laboratory (AAL) also inked a deal with MR solutions provider Taqtile for conducting maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) on military vehicles.
The Army’s Augmented Reality Maintainer-Operator Relay System (ARMORS) will leverage Taqtile’s Manifest AR platform after conducting Phase 1 trials. This will integrate the novel technology for soldiers to boost efficiency, accuracy, and safety while streamlining workflows with digital documents.
Regarding the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) approved Eolian’s AR Tactical Assault Kits (ARTAK) for military use in August last year.
The US Department of Defense’s (US DoD) programme will offer the new headsets to military staff to reduce injuries and ambushes in missions.
The tools will help soldiers with remote collaboration, operations planning, training, and navigation with RT3D visual overlays. It will also link teams to mission command systems.
