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Fujitsu Releases Head Mounted Display to Help Enterprises Innovate On-Site Operations
Wearable device supports safer and more accurate work
Fujitsu Limited
Fujitsu today announced the development of FUJITSU IoT Solution UBIQUITOUSWARE Head Mounted Display, a wearable device for enterprises. Fujitsu begins sales of the HMD to enterprises in Japan today.
The Head Mounted Display product consists of a 0.4-inch(1) display (854 x 480 dots), a camera, two microphones, and various sensors, with a non-see-through extension positioned in front of one eye. It can be operated with the included wearable keyboard or by voice. Constructed to be tough and for use with confidence in challenging environments such as precarious heights, the product is water-resistant (IPX5/7) and dust-resistant (IP5X)(2) for outdoor use.
For infrastructure inspections or factory assembly work, the display allows for safe and accurate hands-free task support in the form of images, video, and audio. In addition, this product will help make it possible to have fewer on-site staff as it allows for remote support from skilled operators, enabling higher work quality regardless of experience.
Head Mounted Display
Background
When conducting infrastructure inspections at precarious heights or performing a complex assembly with both hands in manufacturing, less-experienced operators may either need to stop what they are doing to look up the procedure in a manual or confer with a more skilled counterpart, making it difficult to work efficiently. But with experienced workers getting older and the time needed for training considerable, securing well-trained staff is becoming a problem. This has created a demand for an ICT-based form of task support that can be used in a variety of environments and that allows for safe, efficient work.
To meet that need, Fujitsu combined the high level of expertise in head mounted display (HMD) development of US-based Kopin Corporation with its own human-centric technologies cultivated through PC and mobile device development to create an HMD designed to support a wide range of field work.
Usage Scenarios for the Head Mounted Display
Combining an HMD with middleware such as FUJITSU Software Interstage AR Processing Server, an augmented-reality platform product, and operational-support services such as FUJITSU Business Application AZCLOUD SaaS teraSpection allows for task support using still pictures, video, and audio. The operator wears the Head Mounted Display and views the display for information pertaining to the tasks being performed, such as inspection check lists or work procedures, while using both hands for the task. This dramatically improves operational efficiency and avoids problems of overlooking steps or doing them out of order. The unit can be used with the attached wearable keyboard or the audio command function to carry out a variety of operations, including turning pages in a work manual, entering numbers or taking images with a camera.
Wearable Keyboard
Key Features of the Head Mounted Display
1. Designed for safety, even in challenging environments
The Head Mounted Display product is constructed to be tough, water-resistant (IPX5/7), and dust-resistant (IP5X), survivable at drops from a height of 1.5 meters(3). A built-in light sensor automatically adjusts display brightness for the surroundings to ensure good visibility indoors or out. The unit includes a high-capacity battery that can last for up to about four hours(4), and allows for easy battery swaps.
The position of the display can be adjusted, and it can be worn with glasses, directly on the head, or attached to typically used helmets(5). The built-in accelerometer detects changes in the operator's movements, and can notify a manager with an alarm if the operator falls(6), making it an effective way to quickly discover accidents.
2. Robust support for tasks in the field with a wide range of functions
The product can communicate with smart devices through Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and any problems discovered in the field can be relayed in real time with sound and video using the built-in camera and microphone, to give managers a fast and accurate report on the situation. In addition, more experienced operators can give support remotely while watching the video feed from the scene. This reduces the number of skilled operators that need to be in the field and allows the operator on the scene to receive instructions hands-free for safer and more accurate task performance.
3. Connects to business systems, enabling know-how to be accumulated
Photos and video captured with the built-in camera can be stamped with time and location data collected with a smart device, and stored as an activity log. These logs can be centrally stored on business systems or the management servers of cloud services, and spots that involve heavy workloads or procedures that are prone to be performed incorrectly can be identified so that manuals can be created, to promote safer and more accurate task performance.
The Head Mounted Display is available with a software development kit that includes developer documentation and libraries, so that companies can develop solutions that work with their business systems, and the product can be adapted to specific purposes.
Image of Head Mounted Display in Use
Larger View (22 KB)
By utilizing ICT with wearable devices, Fujitsu aims to increase the safety and efficiency of work sites.
The Head Mounted Display will be exhibited at Fujitsu Forum 2015, running May 14-15 at Tokyo International Forum.
Comment from Dr. John C.C. Fan, CEO, Kopin Corporation
We at Kopin are extremely pleased to have contributed to the industrial HMD Fujitsu has developed with our advanced display, optics, audio and software technologies. The device brings advanced HMD technology to a wide range of potential business applications, such as equipment maintenance. We believe that the combination of Kopin's advanced HMD technology and Fujitsu's own human-centric technology has enabled a revolutionary HMD that will continue to lead the market for years to come.
Suggested Retail Price and Availability
| Product Name | Suggested Retail Price(Excl. Tax) | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| FUJITSU IoT Solution UBIQUITOUSWARE Head Mounted Display | Open pricing | From mid May 2015 |
Product Specifications
| OS | Android™ 4.4 |
|---|---|
| CPU | APQ8026 Quad Core 1.2GHz |
| Internal Memory (RAM/ROM) | 2GB/8GB |
| Form | Non-see-through extension positioned in front of one eye |
| Display Size | 0.4-inch (virtual screen size is 15 inches) |
| Display Resolution | 854 x 480(FWVGA) |
| Camera | Effective pixel count of approximately 8.1 megapixels(recording pixel count of approximately 8.0 megapixels) |
| Communications Features | Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n (single) 2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth (V3.0) |
| Battery Run-time | Approximately 4.0 hours |
| Weight | Main unit: approx. 315g, Other mounted parts: approx. 78g, Helmet fastener clip: 45g |
Trademark Notices
- Android is a trademark of Google Inc.
- All other product names and company names mentioned herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective firms.
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[1] 0.4-inch
The size of the virtual screen is equivalent to viewing a 15-inch monitor from a distance of 81 cm.
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[2] Water-resistant (IPX5/7) and dust-resistant (IP5X)
The device maintains IPX5 and IPX7 water resistance when all caps and battery covers are tightly closed. The IPX5 designation indicates that the display can normally function after being sprayed with water from a nozzle with a diameter of 6.3 mm at a rate of 12.5 liters per minute from a distance of approximately 3 meters for a period of at least 3 minutes. The IPX7 rating indicates that water will not penetrate inside it and it will function normally after being immersed in a tank of room-temperature tap or still water at a depth of 1 meter for approximately 30 minutes.
The device maintains IP5X dust resistance when all caps and battery covers are tightly closed. IP5X indicates that the display can be left in an environment with agitated dust particles with a diameter of 75 µm or less for 8 hours and continue to function and be used safely. -
[3] Drops from a height of 1.5 m
Drop tests are intended to verify product quality. There is no guarantee that the equipment will not be damaged or broken.
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[4] Battery that can last for up to about four hours
When operated while connected to a smart device.
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[5] Attached to typical helmets
Depending on the shape of the helmet, it may not be possible to attach this product.
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[6] Notify a manager with an alarm if the operator falls
If the operator does not move for a set amount of time after falling, it is deemed an emergency, and a notification is sent. Use of this feature requires an application.
About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is the leading Japanese information and communication technology (ICT) company, offering a full range of technology products, solutions, and services. Approximately 159,000 Fujitsu people support customers in more than 100 countries. We use our experience and the power of ICT to shape the future of society with our customers. Fujitsu Limited (TSE: 6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.8 trillion yen (US$40 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015. For more information, please see http://www.fujitsu.com.
All company or product names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Information provided in this press release is accurate at time of publication and is subject to change without advance notice.
Date: 11 May, 2015
City: Tokyo
Company:
Fujitsu Limited
