Develop an interactive collaborative augmented reality application for multidisciplinary and distributed design teams to enable visualisation and editing of design models

 

During a multidisciplinary concurrent design activity, design data are shared via models edited by experts. Navigating and working on models - e.g. Plots, excel tables, Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) environments - describing very complex systems is a time consuming activity, prone to generate human errors. Augmented Reality (AR) technology shall be exploited in support of multidisciplinary design and review activities, reducing inconsistencies and enhancing intuitiveness. A number of solutions are available in non-space domain. A research of available technology, applicability to space multi-user, multidisciplinary, concurrent and model based environment, gap analysis and ad-hoc developments are essential for improving concurrent design process across the project phases.

The developed application shall allow to Visualize and interactively perform design activities in concurrent environment, on a representative application case:

- Acting on virtual representation of the product tree / spacecraft CAD-model in 3D space

- Producing and updating system budgets, display link of equipment to requirements, display parameters evolution

- Modify SC configuration e.g. Using hands to move equipment

This should improve concurrent engineering activities by reduction of inconsistencies produced by human error

- Interactive and immersive data visualisation, synergy between manipulation and computation in multidisciplinary environment in order to improve design and development activities.

Using AR as a single engineer is relatively well established. The novelty regarding AR in ESA's concurrent engineering process for space systems is the shared problem specification and solution design activity with multiple concurrent users/engineers in one integrated multi-disciplinary model based engineering environment. Multi-user, multi-disciplinary, concurrent, model-based engineering aspects are the essential problems and - consequently - the novelty of the proposed activity. This activity encompasses the following tasks:

- Develop an Interactive collaborative Augmented Reality application

- Perform a design exercise in typical CDF way i.e. Create a virtual representation of the function tree and CAD model, produce and update system budgets, display links of equipment to requirements, as well as parameters evolution. Allow to modify the spacecraft configuration by multiple users, e.g. Using hands to move equipment