BMW Wearable Tech Family: Health Monitoring
A health monitoring system in a BMW factory environment that utilises interconnected wearable technologies. The family includes a smart-glasses solution for managers and supervisors, and smart garments for regular factory workers. The family seeks to utilise the potential of wearable technology to help improve supervisors to monitor and manage health related decisions, by allowing them to view relevant information through AR image imposition.
Smart-glasses PPE
The smart-glasses solution is an intelligent PPE device for managers and supervisors. It features multiple functionalities that streamline tasks and responsibilities, and monitor and maintain worker health.
The smart-glasses contain AR capabilities that display a UI with essential information, such as date & time, alerts, factory productivity information, and calling functionalities. Navigation through the interface is achieved through a side button located on the sides of the glasses, with added touch and swiping capabilities. Long distance communication can be achieved through a microphone and bone conduction connected to the module.
The smart-glasses contains a smooth and sleek matte body, with many of its components being flexible to allow a near-universal fit, with the centre of the frame houses the two cameras that detect the environment. The glasses have polarised sides that hide additional sensors located within the glass. The extra sensors help to locate important alerts that can’t be seen through your point of view, making sure that no incident goes unnoticed. The side d-pads provide tactile feedback through the grooves and button presses, letting the user know that an input has been registered.
Health Monitoring Function:
A health monitoring function helps keep track of individual workers' health data, ranging from the start of the shift to current information. Workers will be highlighted in red when spotted in the periphery, and the one closest to the centre of the view will have their health information displayed. To switch between different workers, simply swipe left or right on the side buttons. The health information displayed consists of beats per minute, blood oxygen level, fall detection, and other functionalities that can be implemented in the future. If an unforeseen health issue occurs, an alert will be sent to the manager/supervisor and direct them to the worker's location.
Maintenance Assistant Function:
The maintenance assistant helps to improve a supervisor or manager’s efficiency when repairing machine faults. When a machine is approaching or undergoing failure, an alert notification will be displayed in the smartglasses UI that directs the source of the issue. When a manager/supervisor approaches the faulty machine, an option to fix the issue will appear. Accepting the request will yield detailed instructions with visual aid through the AR environment. You’ll be able to see how to disassemble and reassemble machines through exploded views, to help guide where things go. Supervisors and managers won’t need to spend time memorising, researching, or excessively asking for assistance when resolving mechanical faults. All of the information is readily available, allowing them to more efficiently provide repairs. Making repairs easier will significantly reduce downtimes from faults, which will consequently improve production output and maintain worker safety.
Factory Worker Smart Uniform
The BMW Factory Worker Smart Uniform is a smart garment that uses micro-sensors to detect essential health information. It allows health monitoring to be conducted discretely, without hindering worker productivity. The information can be viewed by smart-glass approved staff, which are mainly managers and supervisors. By allowing them to monitor health conditions, managing human resources can be done more effectively and efficiently.
Assistance Function
The uniform has the additional assistance function that calls for a manager or supervisor. Simply rest your hand on your shoulders and keep it still for five seconds, and an alert notification will pop up on the smart-glasses. The urgency of the assistance will vary on the amount of taps you give before the hold (on a green to red spectrum).
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