Projector-based Augmented Reality for Telemaintenance Support

Abstract

For efficient telemaintenance support, teleoperator and service technician need a common spatial awareness: both need to be able to observe the support environment and to point out to each other individual components of machinery where maintenance steps are to be performed. We propose the use of a projector-based Augmented Reality system that enables this kind of remote bi-directional communication with spatial reference. The system requires only a camera and a projector and allows an operator to precisely place virtual annotations in the remote support area using the projector, highlighting critical machine components and making service steps and instructions easily understandable to the technician. The performance of this Augmented Reality support system was evaluated in a large-scale user study with prospective service technicians.