With Augmented Reality(AR) becoming more popular due to its increased applications and advancements in improving the technology Unmanned Aircraft Systems(UAS) have the potential to immediately integrate these systems to capitalize on a growing capability as well as market trend. Goldman Sachs estimates that by 2025 AR will have reached what the computer systems market share is at currently and is estimated to reach 85 billion in annual revenue by 2025. Including the market growth and expected increases in applications of UAS, the combination of the two technologies seems to be not only the intelligent idea financially but more importantly the ability improve efficiency in many fields and operations.
Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, is already using AR technology incorporated with its Scan Eagle platform to assist Firefighters in assessing, maintaining situational awareness, and thus fighting wildfires to greater effect. The drones outfitted with AR/VR technology can send information back to the user via a 3-dimensional display as a hologram. Combined with thermal scanners and other sensors these UAS provide a real-time look at what the fire is doing. It allows for the user to see things that firefighters on the ground using the naked eye cannot see and UAS operators using other sensors would still not be able to see. The ability to see where the fire is hottest, where it is spreading and where embers are traveling or landing can truly aid in the Forest Firefighters industry. Including this tool in their arsenal could also allow virtual mapping and waypoints to be displayed along with pertinent real-time information immediately from the UAS system and end user down to those fighting the fire directly on the ground. Those firefighters on the ground can see the AR data displayed via goggles, monoculars or HUDS. These technologies have the potential not only to save lives of those fighting the fires but also fleeing from them. As well as saving millions in property damage and materials to actually fight the fire by increasing the effectiveness of the resources that are used.
This is not the only application of AR for UAS. Field Service Technicians for Utility Companies, another extremely dangerous job, have the potential to effectively incorporate AR into their process and system to increase effectiveness and safety. Service Technicians could use UAS to fly parallel to utility lines, similar to the applications and techniques used by railroad companies for security and inspection, to assess for damages and repairs. These service requests could be noted with instructions and the necessary data for technicians via AR as well as having the benefit of ordering the part ahead of time so the service technician comes prepared to complete the job. This cuts costs associated with travel and hours spent on the job looking up work orders, lost paperwork, accessing information via laptop or direct cell communication. This saves the utility companies and the end users which is everyone who uses electricity/cable/internet.
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