Novel immersive technology for work in dangerous areas

Existing technology for performing maintenance in environments such as outer space or the ocean depths has several limitations. These include substantial time delays in communication and transmission of data, multi-input interfaces that are unaccounted for, and the management of several operators at once in such environments.

With EU funding, the EDUSAFE (Education in advanced VR/AR safety systems for maintenance in extreme environments) project is researching the characteristics, procedures and tools of cutting-edge VR and AR technologies for the development of a personnel safety system. Overall, the aim is to enhance safety, maintain readiness, minimise errors, and reduce the time needed for scheduled or unexpected actions.

Project members have begun the development of an integrated prototype VR/AR system and its associated controls. This includes real-time data transmission, on-the-spot analysis of vision, sound and touch data, interaction with several onsite users and multifaceted interfaces. It also includes portability and wearability. The system will be tested at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Switzerland.

Several dissemination and outreach activities are underway, as well as a programme that offers a vast and diverse set of training opportunities for researchers. Secondments have commenced following the recruitment of 10 doctoral fellows and 2 postdocs.

By combining several technologies in developing a prototype, EDUSAFE will lead to the creation of a novel system with VR and AR capabilities for operation in hazardous areas. It is set to become the first personnel safety technology to combine reliability, flexibility, portability and speed features all together in one system.