The challenge
Flying in an expert can be expensive and time consuming
There is a growing need to deliver expert services to remote field workers, especially in the mining industry. However flying in an expert to fix a machine in a remote location can be an expensive proposition.
Our response
We're bringing experts to the site (remotely)
ReMoTe (Remote Mobile Tele-assistance) is hands free, wearable, technology that connects remote experts with on site operators to provide real-time assistance when problems arise.
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 offsite helper and the onsite 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.
The results
A whole range of possibilities
We're currently working with a commercialisation partner to deliver ReMoTe to the mining industry. While this was the industry we originally envisaged for ReMoTe, we're also exploring other applications including:
- remote maintenance tasks 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,
- remote delivery of expert services for small and medium enterprises.