The MAESTRO project has demonstrated the use of telepresence for the maintenance, installation and repair of mechanical (or electromechanical) equipment. The approach is particularly useful for training remote users in complex maintenance/installation scenarios for remote users. This is of great benefit to SMEs who cannot afford complex on-site training equipment. The resulting technology should enable users to train themselves to deal with maintenance tasks by connecting to a 'Virtual Showroom' where they can learn maintenance procedures through computer-augmented video-based telepresence.
The MAESTRO platform was constructed following an analysis of the requirements for communication links, user interfaces and computing support and the validation of the system concepts through demonstrators and prototypes. The platform includes:
The benefits of the MAESTRO approach were tested in trials of a Customer Support Centre at the plant of an SME manufacturing complex machinery, and client host at a major customer's site.
The specific teleoperation environment consisted of
(a) an extended prototype of the equipment to be maintained (the target equipment), which is customised to allow remote control and extensive diagnostic,
(b) auxiliary devices, such as manipulators and vision systems, used both for equipment servicing and for enhancing user interoperability.
Marking techniques allow real-time registration of a virtual model of the equipment on a video image captured by a remote camera. The virtual model is annotated with links to a multimedia database containing specific information, e.g., operating and maintenance instructions, or functional data describing regular or faulty conditions. Speech recognition is used to enter spoken commands (which are particularly relevant in teleoperation as they provide the user with have hands-free access to information) and a low-cost joystick is used to control both the robot equipment and the remote camera.
The implementation of industrial telepresence would be a considerable opportunity for supporting the industry and particularly SMEs across the EU, especially in rural areas. The remote training and remote maintenance services that can be offered by the MAESTRO system can reduce the isolation of SMEs in Europe's less advantaged regions helping them to upgrade their products. It should also be noted that enhanced customer support is a key factor for market penetration.
By developing industrial telepresence, the project is a good step for promoting teleworking and demonstrating that it can be applied not only to consumer services but also to industrial activities. While most teleworking projects have been dedicated to office work, the MAESTRO project should also contribute to promote 'blue-collar teleworking'.
The partners Car Bench and Betex (both engineering SMEs) have been closely involved in the trials which have explored scenarios such as installation, training, maintenance and marketing. They and other potential users are actively interested in the exploitation of results.