Increased mechanisation has provided a new source of injuries in harvesting crews, with nearly 500 machine maintenance-related incidents reported between 2015-2019. Of these incidents, 185 of which resulted in injury.

Scion Human Factors scientists, Dr Richard Parker and Brionny Hooper, have been working with equipment manufacturer Waratah NZ Ltd and digital content developer StaplesVR to create an augmented reality (AR) tool to help train harvesting machine operators in safe machine maintenance practices. 

Augmented reality superimposes virtual information on the real world (physical machinery and environment) to provide real-time visual instructions, helping technicians to easily identify components, understand their functions, and perform repairs more efficiently and safely.

The new AR tool provides step-by-step directions for routine maintenance and servicing tasks of the Waratah processor head, along with safety information. It is a screen-based alternative to a paper-based maintenance manual, and the user can manipulate the processor head position in real time. 

The tool has a fault-reporting module and records maintenance completed. It also generates awards for achievement.

Collaborators: Scion,Waratah NZ Ltd, StaplesVR