Boeing Reportedly Using Google Glass to Help Build Planes
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There’s no denying that Google’s Glass was a flop on the market. But there may be hope yet for the device, as a small team from Boeing have been using Glass to help construct aircraft.
Google’s augmented reality eyewear is currently being used in a pilot program by Boeing’s research and development division. They’re using it to construct aircraft wire harnesses — complex webs of wires that, together, make up a plane’s electrical systems.
And so far, Boeing has called the pilot program a success. Glass has allegedly helped Boeing’s technicians reduce the time it takes to manufacture these wire harnesses by 25 percent, and it’s helped them cut production errors by half, according to The Verge.
The process of manually building wire harnesses is a tricky one, involving finding the appropriate wires, cutting them, and then connecting them to the proper components.
Boeing’s technicians have historically had to use a PDF guide on a laptop, which required them to constantly shift their attention between the screen and the wires, according to CIO.com.
But with all that data displayed on a Google Glass, Boeing says it makes the process much easier.
Boeing has experimented with augmented reality tech since 1995, using rudimentary headsets and displays. But what wasn’t feasible then is now a reality.
Techs at Boeing reportedly got their hands on early versions of Google Glass. But the eyewear still had software limitations, as they were unable to pull information in real-time, according to The Verge.
To remedy that, Boeing sent out a proposal, and eventually collaborated with a company called APX Labs. Together, they developed better quality Glass apps.
Boeing’s pilot program was a small one — and it just came to a close. But the company is reportedly interested in making the use of augmented reality commonplace on their assembly floors.
As for Google, the tech giant is currently working on a newer version of Glass. They haven’t announced it publicly yet, but it is rumored to feature a larger display, a faster processor, and better battery life, The Verge reports.
