The
primary objective of this project was to determine if body-wearable
computers are a feasible delivery system for
the Work Authorization Documents (WAD’s) utilized in Shuttle processing
operations. Body-wearable computers present an opportunity to develop a
WAD delivery system that enables access while preserving the technician’s
mobility, safety levels, and quality of work done. More specifically,
the goals of this project were to research, identify, and recommend specific
brands of body-wearable computers available on the market and identify
which areas of Shuttle processing may benefit from this technology. Fields
tests were performed at the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) shop for
SSME
receiving inspection, Thermal Protection System (TPS) thickness measurement
at the Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) Assembly Refurbishment Facility (ARF),
and a general usability test at the Orbiter Support Building (OSB).
Wearable computers are small-size PC’s that differ from pocket PC’s
and personal data assistant (PDA) devices at the hardware level as well
as the operating system level. Wearable computers are just like any desktop
PC’s or laptops and use the same operating systems, whether Windows,
Windows NT, or Linux. Hence, they can run any application that regular
PC’s can run.
Field tests for SSME receiving inspection were conducted to determine
if the technology could be successfully used to deliver the WAD of
the SSME
receiving inspection activity. Results indicated the SSME inspection
job would not benefit significantly. However, there may be other
WAD’s
in the area that could benefit substantially. An example of other activities
is Shuttle landing SSME inspection. A networked wearable unit could allow
technicians at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) and engineers at other
areas of KSC as well as in California to see the conditions of the SSME
via an on-line camera.
Field tests for SRB sprayable ablative thickness measurement were
conducted to establish the benefits of using a wearable computer
to develop an
integrated system that fully automates the TPS thickness measurement
activity. This
was a two-phase study. Phase 1 consisted of testing the integration
of the KUDA sensor to a wearable computer for on-line data collection,
avoiding
the manual data entry step of the measuring thickness of the SRB
TPS materials. Phase 2 was a usability test to decide the best
way for
the technicians
to interact with the unit (via a belt or on a pushcart). The test
showed that the integration of the KUDA sensor is feasible. In
addition, PIExpert
was used to analyze some historic measurements with the intent
of investigating the possibility of reducing the number of observations
needed. This
complementary test proved that it is indeed possible to reduce
the
number of observations
taken, resulting in significant time savings. It was clear that
having the data on-line and using PIExpert would quicken some
of the basic
statistical analysis and allow more extensive analysis to be readily
done.
|
|
Wearable Computer Devices
A test was conducted
to establish the usability of wearable computers when carrying out
normal computer functions such as entering data and reading text, graphics,
and schematics. The test called for two different modalities of interaction:
A final report was submitted with lessons learned and recommendations. In general,
there is a positive attitude toward the technology, and the interaction
with the unit seems to be acceptable. Wearable PC’s provide a great
degree of mobility and an excellent means to transmit and receive data.
The introduction of the wearable computing technology requires that the
WAD be in electronic form. Recommendations submitted included the technology
be introduced in an incremental fashion and field tests continue especially
as technology improves.
Key accomplishments (2001):
- Field-tested
to determine if the technology could be successfully used to deliver
the WAD of the SSME receiving inspection activity.
- Field-tested
for SRB sprayable ablative thickness measurements to establish the
benefits of using a wearable computer to develop an integrated system
that fully automates the TPS thickness measurement activity.
- Tested the usability
of wearing computers when executing normal computer functions.
- Submitted final
report with lessons learned and recommendations.
Contact: M.M. Groh-Hammond (Marcia.Groh-Hammond-1@ksc.nasa.gov),
PH-M3A, (321) 861-0572
Participating Organization: Florida International University (Dr. M.A. Centeno
|
