Elly Yates-Roberts |
Our focus at Taqtile is on bringing digital transformation to frontline workers. Our landing gear experience built on our Manifest solution, developed with AT&T and Microsoft, showcases how spatial computing, cloud and the internet of things (IoT) can be used to assist a frontline worker through the inspection of aircraft nose landing gear.
In combination with a head-mounted spatial computer like Microsoft HoloLens 2 or Magic Leap 1, Taqtile’s Manifest software provides guided work instructions outlining the step-by-step inspection process along with relevant reference and instructional content. Each step includes any number of ‘notes’ for the user such as video notes or photo notes showing how to complete a step. Spatial indicators and 3D ink annotations guide the user to where the task should be performed or what to look at. Audio notes, rich text, or even bookmarks to reference documents and schematics, can also be associated to the guided instructions. In addition, Manifest can display animated 3D models of different parts of the landing gear assembly, or even the entire 3D digital twin of the landing gear itself. Moreover, it can overlay dynamic IoT sensor data, in this case the current air pressure in the tyre.
These capabilities combine to enable frontline workers to learn and perform tasks consistently, precisely and with fewer errors. Complex or infrequently performed tasks are often completed faster due to the heads-up guided assistance. Using a device like HoloLens 2, the worker can effortlessly follow the guided work instructions on the real-world equipment using the tools of their trade. With contextual information like IoT sensor data and alerts, safety is increased for both personnel and equipment.
In addition, the experience showcases the benefits of 5G and edge computing to reduce latency and increase security for certain workloads. The need for low latency becomes apparent when accessing dynamic content like sensor information or two-way streamed collaboration. Digital transformation can only be effectively deployed and realised when it is embraced and used by end users while also achieving measurable return on investment for an organisation.
We’ve made it simple for frontline subject matter experts to capture step-by-step procedures and we continue to innovate to make it easier, faster and cheaper for organisations to capture and distribute knowledge about how to operate, maintain, repair and inspect their equipment and processes.
Kelly Malone is chief revenue officer of Taqtile
This article was originally published in the Winter 2019 issue of The Record. Subscribe for FREE here to get the next issues delivered directly to your inbox.