Using HoloLens to display diagnostic information for building components

I've been looking at using HoloLens for more "serious" applications (yes, beyond dancing robots :-). One simple prototype I've worked on over the last few weeks – once again with the help of Tom Eriksson, who did another stellar job transforming the CAD data into a good-looking Unity model – is to show an electrical transformer and allow the user to pinpoint a technical problem inside it for the purposes of (hopefully predictive) maintenance.

HoloLens transformer

Here's a quick demo video, showing a prototype where we open up the electrical transformer and show its insides before scaling and exploding it and then highlighting the "problematic" component.

 

 

In theory the problematic component has been identified by some kind of Machine Learning system analysing sensor data coming from the transformer, but this is pure fantasy (or perhaps sci-fi), for now. In time I fully expect this kind of application to be a compelling use for AR technology, especially when viewed in-context by maintenance staff inside the building where the equipment resides.

4 responses to “Using HoloLens to display diagnostic information for building components”

  1. Hi Kean,
    Its looking like you are showcasing unity now, which I actually like as its a platform I have tried. I'm wondering if you are warming things up, then going to switch to an autodesk based viewer. Maybe you could mention (remind us) what platforms you think we should have our eyes on besides unity. I start to lose track, and things change in a matter of months so curious what your list is.

    1. Hi James,

      For now I'm using Unity because that's what works. 🙂

      But it's far from simple to get CAD data into Unity. At some point I'll hopefully be able to use Autodesk LIVE Design to get CAD content into Stingray (assuming at some point that works with HoloLens), but for now I'm stuck - like many Autodesk customers - with a painful, manual content preparation process.

      Oh, and if someone can find a way to enable the Forge Viewer (which is web-based) to work inside HoloLens, I'll definitely use that, too. That would open the door to a huge array of 3D content.

      Cheers,

      Kean

      1. Hi James
        Have you released the source code for project?

        1. If you're asking me, then no - this project isn't currently public.

          Kean

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