Scientists from IBM have created a mobile maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) prototype designed to help manufacturers and companies that supply and maintain high-value machinery in sectors such as aerospace, oil and gas, and shipping.

The mobile system, using a combination of augmented reality and robotics, will help field engineers find the right equipment, provide them with critical information including the appropriate task sheet, and receive real-time visual support from remotely based supervising experts if needed.

The new system allows a supervisor to monitor an engineer’s progress toward the maintenance site, using GPS. Once on site, an engineer can use a smart phone and QR codes to locate and identify an asset and receive maintenance instructions. The smart phone uses augmented reality technology to overlay points of interest over a plan of the site, which can include the location of other engineers, first-aid stations, and health and safety apparatus.

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