Augmented reality in virtual environments for maintenance planning

Project staff:	Dipl.-Ing. Erik Steindecker (former staff member)
Funding:	DFG

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are innovative technologies in the development, production and use of products. So far, both technologies have been considered separately, although in certain cases a combination has considerable potential for cost savings.

The DFG-funded project "Augmented Reality in Virtual Environments" is investigating the combination of VR and AR components. One use case is the testing of AR work documents for maintenance. The AR work documents can be tested not only on the real product, but already on the virtual prototype in the VR environment. Operating in a true-to-scale VR projection allows an ergonomic evaluation of planned processes.

The developed system was tested on the Sprinter II (Daimler). Practical tests of the AR work documents were carried out on the virtual prototype as well as on the real Sprinter. A user study conducted with 46 test subjects showed that AR systems can be used in immersive environments and that the simultaneous perception of AR information and the virtual prototype is feasible. After a training phase, the test persons were able to work independently with the system and interpret and implement instructions.