Keppel O&M taps into M1’s 5G network for maritime Smart Glasses
The smart glasses are equipped with a camera lens, microphone, micro-speaker, and both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity. It can also provide real-time data and analysis to the wearer, with direct communication links to the control room.
Image source: Keppel O&M website.
Keppel Offshore and Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) has partnered with M1 to implement 5G-powered augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) smart glasses, according to joint statements released by both companies (M1, Keppel O&M).
According to both firms, such smart glasses implementation is a first for Southeast Asia’s maritime industry. It also received a grant from IMDA’s 5G Innovation Programme, as it falls under the development of virtual platform solutions.
M1 and Keppel O&M said that smart glasses implementation can see versatile usage when it comes to increasing remote operations efficiency. For example, the smart glasses can be deployed throughout a project’s construction phase, and can help optimise the use of resources in the shipyard.
Features of shipyard smart glasses
The smart glasses are equipped with a camera lens, microphone, micro-speaker, and both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity. It can also provide real-time data and analysis to the wearer, with direct communication links to the control room. There’s also a micro-projector built into the frame, where wearers can project a digital overlay of text and images into their field of view.
For fast connectivity and faster response times, Keppel O&M used M1’s 5G network, and tested out different applications with the orange camp telco to better harness the smart glasses’ capabilities.
Test-bedding
Source: M1 and Keppel O&M.
Currently, the smart glasses are test-bedded for the following Keppel O&M scenarios:
- Site Inspection: Inspection personnel use smart glasses to view work instructions that can be controlled via voice commands. This replaces pen-and-paper check sheets and drawings, digitalising the inspection and asset maintenance process.
- Digital Twin Virtualisation Remote Monitoring: The AR functionality of the smart glasses uses real-time sensor data to let field engineers live-stream information back to the main office, and receive guidance remotely. It’s currently used in monitoring equipment performance.
- Remote Virtual Walkthrough: The smart glasses can help conduct remote, virtual walkthroughs of a vessel, allowing various parties (clients, engineers, ship classification societies) to perform feasibility assessments all at the same time. The ability to do such walkthroughs at a pre-construction stage can help mitigate any potential risks in design and construction, identifying problems earlier than later.
Source: M1, Keppel O&M
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