Augmented Reality Headset for Maintainers

We developed an augmented/mixed reality headset device able to integrate with current Navy Information Assurance (IA) infrastructure and can be usable at the Organizational (O-), Intermediate (I-), and Depot (D-) levels of maintenance aviation activities for the Navy and Marine Corps. Our solution provides defense department maintainers with instant access a wealth of valuable data hands-free to help them with maintenance and logistics, utilizing a complete ruggedized, marinized, secure, and self-contained AR headset that features Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), 3D object recognition, and Augmented Reality overlays. The smart glasses provide storage for the user to download sets of manuals and helpful augmented reality guidance material to use in areas with limited or no internet connectivity, and for areas with secure DoD networks, the smart glasses will have all the needed security and software architecture to securely connect.

Our team customized the headset to integrate the Navy and Marine Corps environmental, cybersecurity, and data infrastructure unique requirements and not addressed or targeted by existing augmented reality hardware. Software architecture enabling two-factor authentication, securely accessing the devices eliminated the need for a wireless connection to the internet (to access applications and to enable several features) or having location information available; allow for DoD Common Access Card (CAC) readers; allow all functionality within the headset (i.e., spatial cognition, displaying indications, sensor input, etc.); and contain a display that is viewable in different maintenance locations (i.e., restricted data areas, weather conditions, and lighting conditions including direct sunlight).

BANC3 further developed our MDM device management platform to meet the Navy’s security goals. This platform allows for provisioning and lock down of our AR headsets. For example, since our headsets are fully self-contained, it can provision a headset to never connect to a network or it could restrict its connection to only military approved networks with appropriate certificates. For two factor authentication, we researched and proposed several options. A simple option was a password combined with a printed QR code card that the user carries. We also investigated and proposed a plan for the integration of a CAC card, as well as an iris scanning option.