Smart Assist Use Case: Augmented Reality in Aviation Maintenance
Aviation is an industry where every second counts, and every decision matters. Keeping an aircraft in its peak performance demands no room for errors, what it demands the most is accuracy, precision, efficiency and a strong commitment to safety. That’s where Generative AI powered Augmented Reality (AR) Smart Support & Maintenance solutions are making a game-changing impact. By providing remote expert assistance, overlaying real-time digital instructions, step-by-step guidance on voice commands, and automating complex procedures, AR-driven solutions are reducing human errors, minimising downtime, and accelerating training across diverse industries.
Here, in this article, you will explore a use case example on how AR & AI collaborative tech is transforming Aerospace MRO operations, maintenance and support with the help of AR enabled AI Smart Assistance Technology.
In an aircraft manufacturing facility, the assembly line was buzzing with activity, all the workers' hands were on deck to meet some tight production deadlines. They were working on a project of assembling a next-generation commercial aircraft that demanded absolute precision and adherence to strict quality standards.
Unfortunately, during a routine inspection check, a critical defect was spotted in the wing assembly of one of the aircraft. If not addressed immediately, this issue of misaligned components in the wing’s hydraulic control system, could lead to significant delays and costly rework.
Although Alex was a skilled technician, this aircraft model was a new one for him, which was quite a new challenge for him to work on. The need for precision in the alignment and the complexity of the hydraulic system, particularly for the aircraft model which is totally a new book for Alex to read, made the overall repair task more daunting.
To complicate things further, the senior engineer, Maria, who was in charge of this particular aircraft system, was off-site at a conference for almost four days. Now, without her guidance, Alex was left alone to struggle with the heavy complex technical manuals and schematics, a task that could take hours or maybe even days, if he himself couldn’t find out the solution.
Just as Alex was about to dive into the thick stack of technical documentation, he remembered a new tool his facility had recently implemented: AR Genie Smart Assist - An Augmented Reality (AR) and Generative AI-powered smart assistant, designed to provide instant, hands-free access to critical information, enabling technicians to solve complex problems with step-by-step instructions, precision and speed.
Alex quickly wore his AR glasses and opened the AR Genie Work Assist app to access Smart Assist. With a simple voice command, he asked, “Show me the hydraulic control system schematic for the wing assembly.” Instantly, a detailed 3D diagram of the wing’s hydraulic system appeared in his field of view, overlaid onto the actual components in front of him.
As Alex was inspecting the hydraulic control system, he saw a complex network of sensors, valves, and actuators. Unsure about what to do next, he asked Smart Assist for the guided support “ What are the common causes of misalignment in this hydraulic control system?”
Within seconds, Smart Assist responded with a list of potential issues, accompanied by step-by-step instructions and visual aids. It suggested Alex, to check the alignment of the hydraulic lines and actuator mounting brackets. He followed the instructions , and with the help of AR annotations overlaid on the components part, he quickly identified a misaligned mounting bracket as the likely culprit of the defect.
Unaware of the specific alignment procedures and torque settings required to realign the bracket, Alex again asked Smart Assist to show him the right answer. “What are the torque specifications for the actuator mounting bracket?” The system instantly displayed the required values and even provided an AR-guided tutorial on how to properly align and secure the bracket.
AR Genie Smart Assist helped Alex to easily realign the mounting bracket and restore the hydraulic control system to full functionality—all within just two hours.
This entire process of asking Generative AI to answer all queries and getting visual guidance from Augmented Reality as his companion to guide through each step, exactly where and what to do while keeping his hands free to focus on the task, made the overall process more simple, better and faster to resolve.
What made it more interesting and impressive was the fact that Alex didn’t need to consult on a call for additional support or look through the chunk of physical or digital manuals. Smart Assist provided real-time information in the form of visual guidance and acted as his virtual expert, combining the power of Augmented Reality and Generative AI to deliver precise, context-aware answers.
This successful resolution of the hydraulic control system issue was just one example of how AR Genie Smart Assist can transform aircraft manufacturing, repair, maintenance and operations. Here’s how it made a difference:
AR Genie Smart Assist is powered by a combination of Augmented Reality and Generative AI ( LLMs ), making it an ideal tech tool for aircraft manufacturing, repair and maintenance.
Here’s how it works:
Incorporating AR with AI is transforming the way maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) tasks are performed—making every task safer, faster and more accurate by giving the context aware right information at the right time. By bridging the gap between digital information and physical equipment, AR is enhancing technician efficiency and decision-making in real time. Here’s why adopting AR-powered software is a game-changing decision for the MRO industry:
What sets AR Genie Smart Assist apart is its ability to bridge the gap between expertise and execution by empowering workers to troubleshoot any equipment on their own.
By combining AR visualizations with Generative AI, it empowers technicians to perform at the level of seasoned experts, regardless of their experience level, even in high-pressure situations. Its hands-free, voice-activated functionality is perfectly suited for the demanding environment of aircraft manufacturing, where precision and speed are critical.
This use case demonstrates how AI & AR powered Maintenance and Repair solutions such as AR Genie Smart Assist utilizing AR and AI technologies can transform the aircraft manufacturing, maintenance repair and overhaul sector. As the MRO industry continues to evolve, maintenance and support tools like Smart Assist will play a crucial role in operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and enabling a more skilled and agile workforce.
Here in this case, for Alex , AR Genie Smart Assist was more than just a tool that redefined his approach to handling a component failure in the aircraft about which he had little knowledge, enabling him to resolve the issue with confidence and precision.
By integrating AR Genie Smart Assist in their MRO operations, the manufacturing facility not only overcame critical skill gaps and reduced downtime, but also sets a new standard for efficiency and innovation in aircraft timely maintenance . This is the true power of Augmented Reality and Generative AI—transforming how we work, solve problems, and elevate performance, with real-time support which is just one voice command away.
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