Case Study : Enhancing Landing Gear Inspection, Maintenance & Technician Training with AR Genie Work Assist
January 28, 2025
Overview
This case study explores the implementation of AR Genie Work Assist, an Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered Work Instruction Software, at a major Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. The study focuses on enhancing the inspection, maintenance, and training processes for Aircraft Landing Gear systems—critical components of aircraft safety. By integrating AR Genie Work Assist, the MRO facility revolutionized its operations, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, while ensuring unparalleled precision, efficiency, and safety.
Challenges in Aircraft Landing Gear Maintenance and Training
The complexities involved in landing gear maintenance presented significant hurdles for the facility, which sought to optimize operations, reduce errors, and improve technician training.
1. Complex Inspection Protocols
Detailed Checklists: Navigating extensive inspection checklists and Electronic Maintenance Manuals (EMMs) consumed considerable time and increased the risk of oversight.
Precise Measurements: Managing measurements with precise tooling and adhering to torque specifications for various components required exceptional skill.
Hydraulic System Checks: Ensuring the integrity of hydraulic systems involved intricate procedures and cross-functional expertise.
2. Technical Complexity
System Integration: The landing gear's integration of hydraulic, mechanical, and electronic systems posed significant challenges for technicians.
Documentation Navigation: Technicians struggled to extract relevant information quickly from dense technical manuals, often relying on undocumented knowledge from experienced personnel.
3. Training Difficulties
High-Risk Learning: Training new technicians on complex systems carried the risk of damage to critical components during hands-on learning sessions.
Limited Training Tools: Traditional methods lacked interactivity, slowing the skill development of new technicians.
Why Augmented Reality and AI for Aviation?
In the aviation sector, where precision directly impacts safety, conventional maintenance and training approaches often fall short. AR and AI-based solutions, like AR Genie Work Assist, address these challenges by:
Enabling real-time interactive guidance.
Accelerating knowledge transfer through immersive training.
Enhancing accuracy and compliance in inspections and maintenance.
Recognizing these advantages, the MRO facility implemented AR Genie Work Assist to overhaul its operations and set a new standard in landing gear maintenance.
AR Genie Work Assist: An Overview
AR Genie Work Assist is a state-of-the-art platform designed to optimize operations by creating and managing interactive workflows for maintenance, repair, inspection, and training tasks.
Web Portal for Supervisors:
Enables the creation, assignment, scheduling, and tracking of detailed workflows.
Provides an “Evidence” feature for recording task completion details, including text, images, and videos.
iPad and AR Integration:
Compatible with iPads and AR glasses, allowing technicians to access real-time instructions.
Displays step-by-step guidance, 3D models, and AR manuals, enhancing comprehension.
AI-Powered Voice Assistant:
Responds to technician queries with tailored guidance.
Assists in complex decision-making processes during inspections and repairs.
Execution Process
AR Genie Work Assist was configured for landing gear inspection and maintenance, ensuring a seamless integration with the facility’s existing operations.
Step-by-Step Implementation
Job Assignment and Initialization:
Technicians received their assigned tasks through the platform, accessible via AR glasses or iPads.
Scanning a QR code on the landing gear system allowed instant access to relevant instructions.
Guided Workflows with AR Overlays:
Step-by-step instructions, supplemented by 3D models, videos, and images, were overlaid onto the technician’s field of view.
The system visually highlighted inspection points in sequence, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Enhanced Inspection Processes:
Brake Wear Measurement: The system projected precise measurement points onto the physical components.
Hydraulic System Checks: Interactive diagrams illuminated pressure checkpoints, with AI providing specifications and acceptable ranges.
Evidence Collection and Error Elimination:
Technicians documented each step by leaving evidence notes (text, images, videos) before proceeding to the next task.
AI voice commands enabled quick access to additional information and troubleshooting support.
Interactive Training Modules:
AR-powered simulations offered trainees a risk-free environment to practice procedures.
On-the-job training combined hands-on experience with real-time AR guidance.
Results and Benefits:
The implementation of AR Genie Work Assist yielded measurable improvements across multiple parameters:
1. Improved Maintenance Efficiency
Inspection time for landing gear systems was reduced from 4 hours to 2.5 hours, significantly minimizing aircraft downtime.
Documentation time decreased by 65%, freeing technicians to focus on core tasks.
2. Enhanced Training Outcomes
New technician certification time was reduced from 3 months to 6 weeks due to immersive AR training modules.
Simulated off-the-job training reduced tool-related damage incidents by 90%.
Achieved a 100% pass rate in competency assessments.
3. Superior Precision and Compliance
AR-enabled guidance eliminated oversight risks, ensuring first-time accuracy in inspections and repairs.
Improved compliance with aviation safety standards through precise, visualized instructions.
4. Knowledge Retention and Transfer
The platform digitized expert knowledge, ensuring that critical information was accessible to all technicians.
Enabled less experienced technicians to perform complex tasks confidently and accurately.
How AR Genie Work Assist is Changing the Landscape Revolutionizing Technician Training
AR Genie Work Assist bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, accelerating skill development. Trainees can visualize complex systems in real-time, enhancing retention and confidence.
Streamlining Maintenance and Inspection
By providing real-time, step-by-step guidance, the platform eliminates ambiguity and ensures consistent, high-quality outcomes. Technicians can perform intricate procedures with reduced supervision, optimizing resource allocation.
Empowering Workforce with AI and AR
The integration of AI-powered voice assistance adds a layer of accessibility, enabling technicians to ask questions and receive instant answers during critical tasks. This reduces downtime caused by manual research or consultations.
Driving Efficiency Across the Industry
The success of AR Genie Work Assist in this use case highlights its potential for broader applications in aviation and beyond. From engine maintenance to avionics, the platform’s adaptability makes it a game-changer for industries requiring precision and compliance.
Conclusion
The implementation of AR Genie Work Assist transformed landing gear maintenance and inspection processes at the MRO facility. By combining augmented reality and artificial intelligence, the platform addressed critical challenges, delivered significant time savings, enhanced training outcomes, and improved operational precision.
This case study demonstrates the transformative power of AR and AI technologies in modernizing maintenance and training workflows. AR Genie Work Assist has set a new benchmark in aviation, proving that innovation can redefine efficiency, accuracy, and safety in even the most complex environments.
As the aviation industry continues to evolve, solutions like AR Genie Work Assist will be pivotal in shaping its future, empowering technicians, and ensuring excellence across operations.