Harvesting ‘games’ come to life
ARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF HARVESTER operators going to be in the cabs or will they be sitting in a shed or container off site playing remote-controlled harvesting games?
Either way, they could be using a special augmented reality headset that not only gives them a view of what they are harvesting, but it will also integrate information on the terrain and other useful data fed from the forest manager.
Scion’s Melissa Evans told the HarvestTECH 2019 conference in Rotorua that the augmented reality Hololens future harvest planning project she is working on in a case study with Matariki Forests will see a much more integrated approach.
The holographic headset uses sensors to interact with reality, combining holograms with the real world – essentially creating a mixed reality, which can be used for planning efficiencies, risk mitigation, enhanced communication and better decision making, according to Ms Evans.
“It’s like having a laptop on your head,” she says.
Scion began the project 18 months ago, using the Hololens to dynamically load 3D maps and models and apply data overlays.
“In this way the user can incorporate compartments, skid sites and the like in a user-friendly manner,” she says.
For planning, “the holographic image projects onto a table. Not everybody can read a flat map but in 3D they can. Added to that, you can integrate from headset to tablet to mobile phone”.
This allows for better communication with stakeholders and other crews as well as training, health and safety and maintenance benefits.
“This is a tool for us to utilise the existing data we have and integrate it and see how the whole pipeline works from collection through to decision making,” says Ms Evans.
Hands-free, it allows for data visualisation, spatial mapping and planning, remote collaboration and assistance, 3D modelling and product design and simulation training – all invaluable assets for harvest management.