Savonia Article Pro: Remote guidance in a noisy work environment – Savonia and ATC Automation tested a new solution
Savonia Article Pro is a collection of multidisciplinary Savonia expertise on various topics.
This work is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Energy, paper, chemical industries. The image immediately shifts to large facilities, heavy machinery, loud noise, and occupational safety. These conditions pose challenges for human work in such environments. Equipment and machinery require regular maintenance, and sudden faults must be repaired as quickly as possible. During maintenance shutdowns, a large number of people enter the factory area, many of whom are unfamiliar with the site. What if one could familiarize themselves with the location in advance and receive guidance remotely? Can technology help?
ATC Automation and Savonia University of Applied Sciences’ XR-Center tested technology suitable for remote guidance in noisy work environments. The equipment used included Vuzix M4000 smart glasses, a Peltor (MRX21P3E5WS6) noise-canceling headset microphone attached to a Petzl Vertex construction helmet. The headset microphone connects wirelessly via Bluetooth to the Vuzix smart glasses, which in turn connect to the internet via a mobile broadband device carried in the user’s pocket. A prototype mounting bracket for smart glasses was designed for the helmet and 3D printed. The adapter fits onto the edge of the protective visor.
Performance in Real Conditions
The noise-canceling headset microphone performed excellently in a noisy environment. In this particular setting, sound levels can momentarily reach 85–90 decibels, but the microphone effectively filtered out the noise. As a result, conversations over the remote connection were clear in both speech and hearing. The small display on the Vuzix smart glasses allowed the user to view the other party’s computer screen when needed. Conversely, the user’s view was transmitted via the camera to the other party. This created a two-way visual and audio connection.
The smart glasses were connected to the internet via a mobile 4G WLAN hotspot carried in the user’s pocket, which provided sufficient data transfer capacity and reliability for video calls. In the test, one participant was at Savonia’s campus and the other at Kuopio Energy’s Haapaniemi power plant, approximately 4 kilometers apart. The connection only weakened during elevator rides but recovered immediately after the doors opened. The power plant’s metal structures and equipment did not interfere with the mobile 4G connection. The only observed challenge was the shape of the smart glasses’ camera housing, which made it difficult to fit the glasses with the helmet equipped with hearing protection
Video 1. Recording of a video call in a noisy work environment.
Development and Future Potential
To demonstrate the functionality of the equipment, a Teams video call was recorded. The equipment used is not ATEX certified, but Vuzix began developing an ATEX-certified camera in collaboration with EATON in 2019. Vuzix offers a Remote Assist tool for its smart glasses, available for a licensing fee. This tool enables enhancements to be added to the video feed through the glasses, such as drawing or using a pointer. Developing custom applications for the glasses is possible using the Android development environment.
The helmet mounting adapter developed during the project requires further development. Savonia University of Applied Sciences has initiated a mechanical engineering thesis project aimed at designing a camera mount that is adjustable in XYZ directions, made from more durable materials, and equipped with more robust fastening mechanisms to address the challenges identified during testing.
According to the research conducted during the project, there are no similar helmet-mounted camera systems on the market with equivalent functionality, which creates potential for commercialization of the development results.
Project Information:
Vireo Research Project (VireoT)
Funded by South Savo Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY)
Project code: A90789
Duration: 1 September 2023 – 31 October 2025
Authors:
Asmo Jakorinne, Kimmo Pakarinen, Ville Heiskanen – Savonia University of Applied Sciences
Pasi Mankki – ATC Automation
References:
Vuzix M4000 | Smart Glasses with See-Through Display – Vuzix Corporation
https://www.vuzix.com/products/m4000-smart-glasses/3m-peltor-ws-alert-xp-datasheet-ce-ukca.pdf
Article has been previously published at https://www.savonia.fi/artikkelit/meluisan-tyoympariston-etaopastus-savonia-ja-atc-automation-testasivat-uutta-ratkaisua/