The Aerospace industry, aeronautics, and astronautics are highly complex technical fields utilizing cutting-edge technology, expertise, and precision. The field requires high-level research, design, manufacture, operation, and maintenance activities. In the aerospace industry, whether a person works on the ground or navigates through the skies, within the Earth’s atmosphere, or beyond in space, with all the tools and devices, he requires enhanced vision to fly safely.

As smart glasses continue to revolutionize every field of life, they are of utmost value to the aerospace industry. With features like precise vision with a camera, 3D scanning capabilities, wireless connectivity, and AI and machine learning integrations, AR in aerospace is revolutionizing the industry with a breeze.

If you want to know the features that AR smart glasses bring to the aerospace industry, the utilization of AR in aerospace, the benefits of using AR technology in aerospace, and the prospects of aerospace with AR technology, you are at the right place. Give this article a read to get complete information regarding smart glasses in aerospace. 

Features Of AR Smart Glasses For Aerospace Industry

Smart glasses are a technological augmented reality-based device with innovative features. Its features help industries enhance their capabilities, efficiency, and performance. With its features working together, AR smart glasses are one of the best devices for the aerospace industry.

Let’s explore the features of AR smart glasses for the aerospace industry. 

Portability 

AR technology reaches us in many forms, such as AR projectors, wearable devices, smartphones, or contact lenses. All AR-based devices are very easy to carry and one can take them anywhere. These devices are chargeable, come with wireless connectivity features, and are light in weight, which enhances their portability and makes them extremely useful in various situations. 

Hardware and Software

Augmented reality devices have advanced hardware and software. Complex accessories are bundled up into a compact, wearable device. Its hardware includes processors, cameras, RAM, GPS, Bluetooth connectivity devices, scanners, sensors, and display units.

AR software is responsible for bringing an immersive AR experience. It also allows the integration of AR wearable devices with other devices.  The AR device can function properly and perform all of its tasks because of its software. 

Data Visualization 

AR smart glasses efficiently enhance data visualization capabilities, which are very important in aerospace. This feature helps the engineers, pilots, maintenance staff, safety inspectors, and many other individuals involved alike, allowing them to access data without delay, simplifying complex technical tasks. Data visualization also helps in increasing the understanding of the aerospace field by providing immersive learning experiences and decision-making. 

Handsfree Operations 

AR smart glasses allow hands-free operation where workers can access manuals, and tools, connect on call, and manage most of their work while keeping their hands free. The device has all the features like a camera, microphone, speaker, and screen that facilitate work. This feature helps increase the safety and efficiency of workers, which are a must-have in aerospace. 

Operational Assistance

Aerospace is an operation-intensive industry. AR smart glasses help in overall operations offering enhanced efficiency, safety, and productivity. AR technology influences all aspects of product research, designing, testing, operations, and maintenance services by providing real-time access to useful data and detailed instructions, giving safety and error warnings, training and remote assistance, pilot assistance, and 3D scanning to rule out errors. 

Processors and Sensors 

Aircraft and spacecraft manufacturing and maintenance require processes and sensors for accuracy in manufacturing and maintenance. Processors equip smart glasses with computational powers allowing AR in aerospace to assist with data processing, managing power consumption, integrating with other devices and technologies, running AR software and rendering graphics, which enhance human capacities to bring precision and safety. 

Sensors are very important in aircraft and spacecraft. They help in navigating through the skies, enabling accurate monitoring and control. Sensors are also valuable to increase the stability and comfort of aircraft and spacecraft. Different sensors are used in aircraft for various purposes, including: 

• Load, torque and balancing sensors are used in braking systems, flight controls and actuation systems. 
• Pressure sensors in the cabin to maintain cabin pressure. Similar sensors are used in maintaining hydraulic systems and in-flight controls. 
• Temperature sensors like thermocouples, RTDs and thermistors with wide temperature ranges are broadly used in military aircraft and spaceships. 

AR devices with sensors enhance the functionality and usage of sensors allowing better performance in the aerospace industry. 

Integration With Devices

Bluetooth, WiFi, and phone tethering are some of the options smart glasses have to integrate with other devices and increase their functionality. Smart glasses also connect with other devices with the help of an application software. They also seamlessly integrate with software used in various working environments to support uninterrupted workflow. AR-based smart glasses or other devices connect with various operating systems like Windows, Android, iOS and others so there is no restriction for users. 

Remote Server

AR devices are connected to remote or cloud-based servers to save the scanned data. The devices can fetch the required file, image or video from the database and present it to the requesting applicant. This feature improves the accessibility to data and also helps in reducing the time of operations. 

Utilization Of AR In Aerospace

AR-based devices are trending in the aerospace field. They offer various advantages. Let’s now see where aerospace is using AR technology to enhance their working capacities. 

System Design And Prototyping

AR technology is widely used by engineers and designers for system designing and prototyping in the aerospace industry. AR is revolutionizing system design as it allows designers to transform 3-D models into physical representations showing how their design will be useful in serving its purpose.

AR also speeds up the designing and prototyping processes. Simulation of design or prototype assists in developmental phases and identifying errors, which are then resolved to achieve accuracy. In this way, AR saves time, effort and resources and improves the quality of new aircraft and spacecraft. 

Engineering Support 

The aerospace industry can’t afford human errors and heavily relies on automation for manufacturing, maintenance and repair. Merging AR with humans simplifies and improves manufacturing, maintenance and all other aspects of engineering.

AR technology reduces the risk of errors and also bridges the technical workforce challenges. It provides continuous support by providing instructions, manuals and guidance and remote assistance by experts. 

Manufacturing 

Manufacturing of aircraft or spacecraft includes a series of steps. AR in aerospace helps with each step of the manufacturing process. From design to fabrication and assembling of tools and parts to quality assurance and compliances, AR devices speed up the process, reduce the chances of errors and enhance product quality. 

Training

Whether it is manufacturing, repair and maintenance, or flight, efficient training is a core element of aerospace. AR in aerospace reforms training by simulating situations, where trainees can learn and achieve hands-on training in real-life situations. Experts can provide remote assistance during training, or experts from far-off areas can provide training offering their technical expertise to improve the quality of the sessions. 

This immersive educational experience allows trainees to develop professional competency in a short time. 

Exploration 

Spacecraft and military aircraft are often used for exploration purposes. AR technology, along with robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) opens up new exploration opportunities, making it possible to explore remote areas and complex geographical locations to gather information. Engineers can then use this information to design new, more suitable equipment. 

Pilot Assistance

Flying is a risky job. it requires detailed information about geography, altitude, air pressure, weather conditions, location of other aircraft and field of view. Pilots have to do a tedious job of keeping an eye on all information coming on their screen and navigating the skies without making any errors as lives are at stake. In such a situation, AR in aerospace is a turning point.

AR devices enhance situational awareness as they display real-time information in the pilot’s field of view, reducing the need to look through multiple screens. Smart glasses integrate the flight deck information directly on the pilot’s visor which reduces distractions and increases the pilot’s focus during critical phases of the flight. AR devices also issue warnings at critical times. The technology assists the pilots to make faster and more informed decisions. 

Ground Operations 

Besides navigating the skies, the aerospace industry has intensive ground operations too. AR technology helps in navigation and coordination, troubleshooting, and maintenance. It allows workers to stay focused, displays real-time information, and offers access to data and manuals while keeping their hands free. 

Safety And Hazard Awareness 

A slight negligence and mistake in aerospace can lead to the loss of precious lives and billions of dollars. Despite automation and using cutting-edge technology, errors do occur. AR devices increase safety by reducing the chances of errors and creating hazard awareness. The devices display warning signals in front of the worker’s eyes, alerting them to act promptly and take appropriate measures. 

AR technology, along with AI helps create safer working environments where technology precociously senses hazards and issues warnings to make people aware of upcoming problems. 

Benefits Of Using AR In Aerospace 

Using AR in aerospace brings many benefits. The key ones include:

• Improved safety and reduced downtime. 
• Enhanced maintenance and repair processes. 
• Remote assistance and collaboration. 
• Improved training and safety.
• Streamline manufacturing and operations.
• Engineering and pilot assistance. 

Prospects Of Aerospace With AR

AR technology is helpful in all aspects of the aerospace industry. Integration of this technology offers a wide range of benefits and transformative opportunities as we apply AR to all sectors of aerospace. In future, AR is expected to revolutionize aerospace, ultimately contributing to safer navigation through the skies with AR-backed enhanced vision.