Avionics | By: Woodrow Bellamy III | GPE – September 07, 2017:
Research, operation and future considerations for augmented reality technologies have been expanding throughout the global aviation industry over the past decade, though published exploration of A/R can be traced back as far as the 1990s. We highlight some of the ways in which different areas of the aviation industry are using and evaluating future use cases for augmented and virtual reality technologies.
Originally published August 24, 2017: According to Intel, the official definition for augmented reality is computer-superimposed enhancements to a user’s real-world environment, such as an oil pressure reading on a cockpit panel display. Virtual reality is defined as the creation of an environment by a computer that a person fully sees — usually accomplished with goggles or a head-mounted display system. For example, using virtual reality, the user can experience stepping into an airplane avionics bay or cabin.
Pratt & Whitney is no stranger to pushing new technologies forward. As far back as 2002, for example, Pratt & Whitney Canada announced an agreement with IBM and Dassault Systems to become the first company in the aerospace industry to develop engines using digital technology throughout the entire design and manufacturing process.
In April, the United Technologies Research Center unveiled a collaboration with Pratt & Whitney’s customer training division to invest in virtual reality engine maintenance training for airline mechanics.
According to Bruce Hall, general manager of Pratt’s customer training division, the company is currently beta testing in classroom environments the use of headsets and hand sensor controls that would allow mechanics to virtually walk inside a GTF engine to examine parts and view a running engine in motion.
Aero Glass has a headset that pilots can wear and view cockpit control information like altimeter readings, fuel pressure, heading and oil temperature within a display that sits in the glass portion of the headset.
Aero Glass made headlines in October 2016 when Airbus BizLab selected their technology as one to help become transformed into a business proposition. The head-worn display concept has also received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.
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