Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water supplies drinking water and wastewater services to most of Wales and parts of western England. It is regulated under the Water Industry Act 1991 as amended by the Water Act 2014.
Background And Achievements
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water has twice won awards for AR development and implementation in an industrial setting. The organization invests £1.3 million in its operational assets every day for the benefit of its 3.5 million customers.
Challenges to be Addressed by AR
Owners of complex assets need to provide comprehensive information on how to operate and maintain their assets to asset operators, visitors and regulators, traditionally in the form of an operations and maintenance manual which runs to thousands of printed pages. Here at Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, we have created the Interactive Works Operating Manual (IWOM) to deliver complex information in a robust device. It utilizes sensing technology and Augmented and Virtual Reality to tell colleagues their location on the asset, allowing for items of equipment to be interrogated via readable Quick Reference (QR) codes or Near Field Communication (NFC) tags and provides information, which can include running states and maintenance requirements. The IWOM helps colleagues make informed, accurate decisions, which help reduce errors and risk and improve customer service.
Why AR is a Strategic Area
AR is a strategic area for Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water because it is an integral part of the IWOM, our “smart” electronic manual. It uses AR to overlay a computer-generated image over the real-world environment. This can show process information and instructions, such as directional information for valves and switches, or ideal operating ranges for gauges and dials – information hovers in front of colleagues and does not obstruct their view, minimizing risk but also enhancing what they see, helping colleagues make the right decisions and record operating information. The IWOM and our AR application deliver information in an interactive and visually attractive way.