Computer Program Technician Noah Calderon shows how augmented reality can be used to assist in systems maintenance.

UDRI awarded Air Force contract for extended reality research

The University of Dayton Research Institute has been awarded a three-year, $12.5 million contract to design, develop and transfer augmented reality tools to the U.S. Air Force to support its use of extended reality resources for systems maintenance.

The program will focus on the development of a variety of extended reality systems to support Air Force activities such as spraying, coating and robotics control.

AR uses software to make digital objects seem as though they are embedded in a user’s actual environment; a virtual perception created through the use of specialized glasses worn by the user, or through an app viewed on a smart phone.

“Consumers have become familiar with augmented reality in gaming apps, such as Pokémon Go, and in online shopping, when they want to see how a bookshelf or a table might look in their own living room. We are expanding this technology to help users performing maintenance applications safely and effectively,” said psychologist Drew Bowers, Group Leader for Human Factors in UDRI’s Sensor and Software Systems division.

UDRI has extensive and continually growing expertise in developing extended reality tools—including virtual and augmented reality—along with artificial intelligence, machine learning and human-machine teaming technologies to support manufacturing, maintenance and other applications for a variety of clients.

September 12, 2023