N252-076 TITLE: Augmented Reality Vehicle Maintenance & Training System
OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Computing and Software;Human-Machine Interfaces;Sustainment
OBJECTIVE: Develop an Augmented Reality (AR) capability that aids a maintainer with replacing the brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator on a Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV). The AR capability shall provide a reach back function in which the video feed of the maintainer’s perspective can be wirelessly live streamed from one Electronics Maintenance Support System (EMSS) to another EMSS. The EMSS shall be the host system for the AR capability. The Prototype Device shall be designed with a platform agnostic architecture, in which the capability can be expanded to maintenance actions on multiple Marine Corps platforms.
DESCRIPTION: The problem at hand that the prototype device is intended to solve is a lack of ground vehicle maintenance training and overall maintenance experience. Vehicle maintainers in the Marine Corps have a wide range of varying experience, with some younger Marines having little to no experience with vehicle maintenance. To improve upon this knowledge gap, the Marine Corps is exploring AR to act as a real-time visual aid while conducting vehicle maintenance. The AR capability prototype device is intended to automatically detect vehicle components that are integral to the maintenance task at hand. The corresponding authoritative technical manuals and relevant schematics will be presented to the maintainer automatically upon component detection.
Another important objective of the AR capability prototype device is to provide a reach back capability in which an inexperienced Marine can contact a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in real-time. The end goal is to be able to have the SME be in an entirely different location than the maintainer, be able to see the live visual feed of the maintainer and provide resolution to the issue at-hand. This capability will directly support the Marine Corps approach of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO).
The following is a detailed list of the scope of this SBIR effort:
Note: The replacement cost should be considered during prototype device development. If the prototype device is not ruggedized, it is more likely to break and be in need of replacement.
PHASE I: Identify a technically capable solution for providing an AR capability within the hardware and software constraints of the EMSS. The required Phase I deliverables shall be a report which outlines the hardware and software approach of the AR capability. The report is expected to include the following:
PHASE II: Produce and validate an AR capability that can assist a maintainer with changing out the brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator on a ULTV; and provides a wireless video feed reach back capability (O). The prototype device shall be capable of identifying components that are integral to performing the steps needed to change the ULTV brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator. Once a component is identified, the prototype device shall visually display the corresponding Technical Manual and schematic information to the user.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the final product into its EMSS.
The commercial automative industry has started to integrate AR maintenance aids into their processes and practices. The government prototype device solution will be open source, which means that commercial automative industry companies that have not adopted this capability could utilize the prototype device solution.
This solution also could be utilized in the civilian environment for personal maintenance actions. The older generation is more knowledgeable on conducting car maintenance than the younger generation. This solution could be sold as a training aid to schools or vehicle hobbyists that need a way to teach and learn vehicle maintenance.
Additionally, this capability could have uses in different commercial sectors, such as electronics, home repair, plumbing, etc.
REFERENCES:
KEYWORDS: Augmented; Reality; Training; Aid; Maintenance; Decision; Artificial Intelligence
TPOC 1: Tyler Adams
[email protected]TPOC 2: David Keeler
[email protected]
** TOPIC NOTICE ** |
The Navy Topic above is an "unofficial" copy from the Navy Topics in the DoD 25.2 SBIR BAA. Please see the official DoD Topic website at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/solicitation-documents/active-solicitations for any updates. The DoD issued its Navy 25.2 SBIR Topics pre-release on April 2, 2025 which opens to receive proposals on April 23, 2025, and closes May 21, 2025 (12:00pm ET). Direct Contact with Topic Authors: During the pre-release period (April 2, 2025, through April 22, 2025) proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. The TPOC contact information is listed in each topic description. Once DoD begins accepting proposals on April 23, 2025 no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. DoD On-line Q&A System: After the pre-release period, until May 7, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET, proposers may submit written questions through the DoD On-line Topic Q&A at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login/ by logging in and following instructions. In the Topic Q&A system, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. DoD Topics Search Tool: Visit the DoD Topic Search Tool at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/ to find topics by keyword across all DoD Components participating in this BAA.
|