Research on the Wearable Augmented Reality Seeking System for Rescue-Guidance in Buildings

Abstract

When a construction disaster occurs, the first-line rescue personnel often enter the disaster site immediately, and every second counts in rescuing the people who need help. However, the rescue personnel may not be familiar with the indoor layouts of different buildings. If the indoor paths are complicated, or when the fire smoke obstructs the line of sight, the rescue personnel are prone to spatial disorientation, which usually causes the rescue personnel to fall into danger. Therefore, we have developed the “Wearable Augmented reality Seeking System” (WASS) to assist rescue personnel in reading the information provided by the “Building Information Guiding System”. This system allows them to enter an unfamiliar space and reach the target rescue position, retreat to the entrance, or find an alternative escape route. The WASS is based on the HoloLens augmented reality system, which displays 3D digital information such as indoor layouts, one’s current location, spatial images captured by an infrared camera and a depth camera, and 3D virtual guiding symbols or text. The WASS includes two modules: First, the augmented reality gesture interaction module allows one to read the positioning anchor information of the “Building Information Guiding System” (BIGS). The rescue personnel can communicate via gestures, select the task target, and follow the 3D virtual guidance symbols in the air to reach the relay anchor points and finally arrive at the target position. Second, the service support module, including a lighting source and backup power, ensures that the QR code recognition process and long-term operation of the WASS are successful.

Keywords

• rescue-guiding system
• augmented reality
• building information
• wearable devices
• spatial information seeking system