The Department of Defense, specifically the Navy, is seeking innovative solutions through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the development of an Augmented Reality (AR) Vehicle Maintenance & Training System. This initiative aims to address the knowledge gap in vehicle maintenance among Marine Corps personnel by creating a prototype AR device that assists maintainers in real-time with tasks such as replacing brake pads, brake disks, fuel filters, and water separators on Ultra Light Tactical Vehicles (ULTVs). The AR system will not only provide visual aids and technical manuals but also enable a live video feed for remote support from Subject Matter Experts, enhancing the training and operational capabilities of the Marine Corps. Interested parties should note that the solicitation is set to open on April 23, 2025, with a closing date of May 21, 2025, and can find more information at the official SBIR website.

## Description

The problem at hand that the prototype device is intended to solve is a lack of ground vehicle maintenance training and overall maintenance experience. Vehicle maintainers in the Marine Corps have a wide range of varying experience, with some younger Marines having little to no experience with vehicle maintenance. To improve upon this knowledge gap, the Marine Corps is exploring AR to act as a real-time visual aid while conducting vehicle maintenance. The AR capability prototype device is intended to automatically detect vehicle components that are integral to the maintenance task at hand. The corresponding authoritative technical manuals and relevant schematics will be presented to the maintainer automatically upon component detection.&nbsp;Another important objective of the AR capability prototype device is to provide a reach back capability in which an inexperienced Marine can contact a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in real-time. The end goal is to be able to have the SME be in an entirely different location than the maintainer, be able to see the live visual feed of the maintainer and provide resolution to the issue at-hand. This capability will directly support the Marine Corps approach of Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO).&nbsp;The following is a detailed list of the scope of this SBIR effort:<ul><li>Develop an AR capability that:<ul><li>can visually aid the user with replacing the brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator on a ULTV, using ULTV schematics and technical manuals as the authoritative source.</li><li>can replace all four ULTV components: brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator (Threshold (T)); replace all four ULTV components listed in the threshold, as well as any additional maintenance actions beyond those four (Objective (O)).</li><li>integrate with the EMSS hardware and software configuration.</li><li>is capable of providing a live video feed from the AR device to a different EMSS via wireless transmission.</li></ul></li><li>Augmented Reality Visual Aid Size:<ul><li>Nominal hindrance to maintenance tasks while wearing a noticeable but not uncomfortable device (T); minimum hindrance to maintenance tasks while wearing a device with a small footprint and does not obscure the maintainer from the task at hand (O).</li></ul></li><li>Augmented Reality Visual Aid Device:<ul><li>Wired operation between the device and EMSS (T); wireless operation between the Prototype Device and EMSS (O).</li></ul></li><li>Battery Life:<ul><li>One-hour battery life while in operation (T); two-hour battery life while in operation (O).</li></ul></li><li>System Weight:<ul><li>Two person portable with all accessories (62 lbs.) in accordance with MIL-STD-1472H (T); one person portable with all accessories (31 lbs.) in accordance with MIL-STD-1472H (O).</li></ul></li><li>Ruggedized:<ul><li>Not ruggedized (T); ruggedized in accordance with MIL-STD-810H (O).</li></ul></li></ul>&nbsp;Note: The replacement cost should be considered during prototype device development. If the prototype device is not ruggedized, it is more likely to break and be in need of replacement.

## Objective

Develop an Augmented Reality (AR) capability that aids a maintainer with replacing the brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator on a Ultra Light Tactical Vehicle (ULTV). The AR capability shall provide a reach back function in which the video feed of the maintainer&rsquo;s perspective can be wirelessly live streamed from one Electronics Maintenance Support System (EMSS) to another EMSS. The EMSS shall be the host system for the AR capability. The Prototype Device shall be designed with a platform agnostic architecture, in which the capability can be expanded to maintenance actions on multiple Marine Corps platforms.

## Phase I

Identify a technically capable solution for providing an AR capability within the hardware and software constraints of the EMSS. The required Phase I deliverables shall be a report which outlines the hardware and software approach of the AR capability. The report is expected to include the following:<ul><li> Analysis of AR hardware solutions, with a definition of pros, cons, tradeoffs, and a recommended prototype hardware solution</li><li> Analysis of AR software solutions, with a focus on ease of development, software supportability, integration into EMSS, cyber compliance considerations, and future integration/expandability of the capability.</li><li> Analysis of existing ULTV models and schematics, with a determination on if the existing Technical Data Package is sufficient to produce a prototype solution. If the models provided are insufficient, the proposal shall include a concept for creating the models utilizing 3D scanning methods. A ULTV will be made available to the prototype developer to accomplish this effort.</li></ul>

## Phase II

Produce and validate an AR capability that can assist a maintainer with changing out the brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator on a ULTV; and provides a wireless video feed reach back capability (O). The prototype device shall be capable of identifying components that are integral to performing the steps needed to change the ULTV brake pads, brake disk, fuel filter, and water separator. Once a component is identified, the prototype device shall visually display the corresponding Technical Manual and schematic information to the user.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

Support the Marine Corps in transitioning the final product into its EMSS.The commercial automative industry has started to integrate AR maintenance aids into their processes and practices. The government prototype device solution will be open source, which means that commercial automative industry companies that have not adopted this capability could utilize the prototype device solution.This solution also could be utilized in the civilian environment for personal maintenance actions. The older generation is more knowledgeable on conducting car maintenance than the younger generation. This solution could be sold as a training aid to schools or vehicle hobbyists that need a way to teach and learn vehicle maintenance.Additionally, this capability could have uses in different commercial sectors, such as electronics, home repair, plumbing, etc.

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