Integration of Mixed Reality and GPS-based Positioning to Support Public Works Applications
The New Brunswick Community College – Centre for Applied Research in Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing
The NBCC Mobile First Technology initiative (MFTi) developed software for industrial client Kognitiv Spark that addressed technical gaps in application development for the Microsoft HoloLens involving the use of geographic positioning.
Research topics
augmented reality, global positioning, geo-spatial, Microsoft HoloLens, mixed reality, smart city
MFTi has established an ongoing collaboration with industrial client Kognitiv Spark, a company based in Hanwell, New Brunswick which is a designated Microsoft developer for the HoloLens. In its first project with Kognitive Spark, MFTi developed an advanced prototype called the Fire Hydrant Inspector with the following objectives:
- Address technical gaps in application development for the Microsoft HoloLens involving the use of GPS data that were identified by Kognitiv Spark; and
- Develop the first in a planned series of compelling demonstrations of the value of mixed reality applications within a smart city context.
Fire Hydrant Inspector combines mixed reality via the Microsoft HoloLens and geospatial data management to streamline inspections of public infrastructure, enabling inspectors to locate fire hydrants and visualize their status and maintenance history in the field. The MFTi prototype makes use of the NBCC Location-based Object Management Framework.
Fire Hydrant Inspector is one of the first two demonstrations of MFTi’s Smart Communities program. This program is designed to foster co-creation among public and private partners of technologies that help communities and residents address life-critical needs. Development of co-creation projects having commercial value began in November 2016 with the City of Fredericton’s CIO. The City has provided crucial domain expertise and data.
Kognitiv Spark Co-Founder Duncan McSporran stated of the Fire Hydrant Inspector: “The Mobile First team, led by Dr. McIver, been able to provide focused and timely solutions based advice to Kognitiv Spark. The can-do attitude of the NBCC Mobile First team reflects a clear understanding of how their work has the very best impact on the commercialization of cutting edge IP.”
Maurice Gallant, CIO of the City of Fredericton, stated: “We are working on a smart city initiative with Dr. Bill McIver. Bill is a friend of the City and many of us have worked with him in the past and have been impressed at how he gets things done!”
Figure 1. Fire Hydrant Inspector.
Figure 2. Fire Hydrant Inspector.
Figure 3. Fire Hydrant Inspector.
Other Information
- This is a Microsoft HoloLens application developed by MFTi called the Fire Hydrant Inspector. [MPEG4]
NBCC Team
- Calvin Smith, Research Technician
- William McIver Jr., Ph.D., NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Mobile First Technology, Principal Investigator
Client–Collaborators
- Ryan Groom, Duncan McSporran & Devin Patterson, Kognitive Spark, Hanwell, New Brunswick
- Maurice Gallant & Trent Brewer, City of Fredericton
Funders
- National Research Council – Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC–IRAP)
- Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada - Industrial Research Chair for Colleges program
Contact
William McIver Jr., Ph.D.
NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing
Centre for Applied Research in Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing
New Brunswick Community College
Centre for Applied Research in Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing URL: http://wiki.nbcc.mobi
E-mail: bill.mciver@nbcc.ca
Twitter: @mciverNBCC
Blog: http://mciver.mobi/
New Brunswick Community College URL: http://nbcc.ca
Media inquiries
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The New Brunswick Community College – Centre for Applied Research in Mobile & Ubiquitous Computing is supported by
the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. 
