Design Interactive, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-001

Description

Vehicle maintenance is a pervasive requirement across the Army and may become even more critical as doctrine shifts away from asymmetric warfare towards a multi-domain operations (MDO) strategy. Execution of MDO requires an Army with properly maintained and serviceable vehicles. Despite the importance of maintenance, the existing process is surprisingly analog. In an age of autonomous systems and exoskeleton enhanced operators, vehicle operators and mechanics are still using inefficient paper-based checklists and manuals. There is an opportunity for emerging technology to propel vehicle maintenance into the digital age. An example of this can be seen in Design Interactive, Inc.’s (DI’s) AUGMENTOR™ system, an augmented reality (AR) maintenance troubleshooting and repair tool currently in use by the commercial trucking industry. DI proposes the development of Digital Repair, Inspection, and Validation Environment (DRIVE), an AR system designed specifically for Soldiers to use in Army preventative vehicle maintenance, built off the capabilities of AUGMENTOR™, providing Soldiers with a usable, helpful, and effective tool to modernize the process. DRIVE will provide Soldiers an AR preventative maintenance inspection, fault escalation, validation, and repair support system to revolutionize the PMCS process. DRIVE will reduce error, create efficiencies, and improve the Army’s ability to execute MDO.