Technology-enabled frontline workforce assistance

Industry context

This technology sought to enhance the worker navigation across large complex sites, to eliminate paper-based information processing, to present live data and information to operators in context to machinery and to enable offsite experts to provide remote support.

Project overview

The project by VISR developed an application known as FUSE, which enables field workers using a Microsoft HoloLens augmented Reality-capable handheld device to view augmented reality instructions for the routine work they are undertaking.   ​

 Wearing a Trimble XR10 hardhat, a worker logs into a digital space through the app and scans a QR code local to the area to anchor themselves in that location, utilising Azure Spatial Anchors on the site’s digital twin. The worker is then presented with a holographic arrow to guide them to the location of the job and is taken through a step-by-step holographic guide to complete the task.

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These jobs and routines are created using the Workflow Editor, a web-based tool which provides a user with the means to convert a paper-based manual or guide into a digital workflow to be used with the FUSE app. These digital workflows can be anchored in the physical location using the commissioner mode of the application.  ​

The project explored multiple connection strategies, including working with Vodafone to build the first private industrial 5G network in Europe. The team also designed and delivered a custom radio modem based on LoRaWAN technologies. 

Outcomes

Successfully tested on and offshore

Has the potential to reduce emissions by 2%​

Delivers efficiencies of c. 35% which could equate to annual savings of £2.1M per typical North Sea asset ​

Successfully tested on and offshore

Has the potential to reduce emissions by 2%​

Delivers efficiencies of c. 35% which could equate to annual savings of £2.1M per typical North Sea asset ​