ThirdEye partners with 3D Media to improve training for U.S. Air Force flight crews

In Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality News

February 11, 2020 – ThirdEye, a provider of augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) enterprise solutions and devices, has today announced its partnership with 3D Media, a technology development firm that specializes in virtual and augmented reality solutions for enterprise.

The partnership will see the two companies work together to improve training and human performance for flight line maintainers and flight crews working with the B-1 Lancer aircraft in the U.S. Air Force’s 7th Bomb Wing. ThirdEye states that its X2 MR Glasses, which weigh just 300 grams, will provide personnel with improved safety, efficiency and proficiency when working on the mechanical structures of the aircraft, known as ‘airframes’.

In November 2019, 3D Media was awarded a USD $1 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from AFWERX to build AR tools to improve training for airmen. According to ThirdEye, its track record of execution and success in military environments was a key reason that its X2 MR Glasses were chosen for research and development purposes, along with a larger deployment into the Air Force and U.S. Department of Defense.

The X2 MR Glasses’ industrial capabilities, as well as their platform built for working applications, and ability to connect with subject matter experts in harsh environments, are all features that ThirdEye states align with the military’s needs. By wearing the X2 MR Glasses, flight crews and flight line maintainers can connect with experts in any environment via the glasses’ built-in proprietary 3D SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) system and CAD modeling and overlay, where step-by-step technical instructions and drawings can be projected onto the X2 MR Glasses display. The glasses also take screenshots and enlarge images for better visibility. Flight crews and maintainers are then able to open and view documents via voice command, while working hands-free, without worrying about Wi-Fi connection, thanks to the X2’s 5G capabilities.

“As more of the world’s military adopt AR and MR solutions to better support the training and work of personnel, we’re honored to be working with 3D Media to contribute to the U.S. Air Force’s efforts and increase the safety of our airmen,” said Nick Cherukuri, Founder and CEO of ThirdEye. “From our previous work in the military, ThirdEye’s X2 MR Glasses have undergone drop tests, so we know it’s ready to support airmen however needed, no matter where they are.”

The X2 MR Glasses feature a wide field of view and sensors that provide advanced MR features that are not available on a monocular device. Additionally, the glasses are entirely hands free, which the company states is important for being out in the field where wires can be a potential hazard. The X2 MR Glasses also run on the latest Android operating system, which allows software to be easily ported onto the glasses.

Commenting on the announcement, Daryl Roy, CEO and Founder of 3D Media, said: “When we go into a project, we never assume what the outcome is going to be – the answer comes from collaborating with other experts. By partnering with ThirdEye, we’re arming airmen with X2 MR Glasses to significantly improve their day-to-day”. He added, “I believe that augmented reality’s largest opportunity is in the area of human performance, where there’s no margin for error. ThirdEye has proven to be successful in military environments, and with life and death literally on the line, it’s important to arm our military personnel with the best.”

Earlier this year, ThirdEye announced that its X2 Mixed Reality Glasses were mass shipping worldwide, along with the availability of hand tracking and gesture controls for the X2 glasses – features that will no doubt come in useful for flight line maintainers using the devices as part of today’s partnership.

Image credit: ThirdEye