Telemaintenance applications for the Wearable/sup TM/PC

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of providing military maintenance personnel with a wearable personal computer and interactive electronic technical manual (IETM) support as maintenance tasks are performed at equipment sites. Wearable PCs, when combined with PCMCIA card technologies, are an evolutionary hardware concept worn on the technician's body, enabling personnel to obtain information such as specific maintenance procedures, drawings and digital photographs of the equipment and sub-assemblies. All maintenance information is provided where and when it is needed, virtually eliminating the need for any paper-based technical documentation. It is hypothesized that wearable technology will increase maintenance productivity, minimize errors, and reduce training requirements. Wearable PCs incorporate voice recognition and helmet mounted display technology allowing maintenance personnel hands and eyes free as they perform maintenance tasks. Wearable PCs also utilize Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, high-speed fax modems, and wireless LAN technology for connectivity to to servers and the Internet system. The WEARABLE/sup TM/ PC makes the concept of "telemaintenance" a reality.