ART System [augmented reality telepresence]

Advancements in industrialization and robotics have driven research into working with robots using virtual reality as a means of communication. In manufacturing plants, in order to perform maintenance duties or monitor operations, employees are required to step into hazardous environments. In British Columbia between 2008 and 2012, there has been over 3000 serious injury claims caused by human presence in the manufacturing sector. As an example, human exposure to lead can cause lead poisoning leading to reproductive problems. There are numerous situations where machinery, atmosphere, temperature, chemicals, and other operating conditions create hazardous environments in which human exposure is dangerous. Avoiding the physical presence in such circumstances will help mitigate various risks to an employee. The ART system is designed to minimize physical presence of human beings in hazardous environments such as the prohibited area of an operating manufacturing robot. A sense of telepresence is provided by the ART system, as a result of a camera systemmounted in the location of interest and controlled by the user's head movement sitting in another, safer, location. The user in turn views the images generated by the camera system through a VR device to provide not only a 3D, but also physical presence experience.