Global engineering company Burns & McDonnell has implemented assisted-reality solutions using RealWear HMT‑1 smart glasses to improve infrastructure inspections and collaboration between field teams and remote experts. The technology has significantly increased the efficiency of documenting infrastructure while reducing the need for expert travel.

Challenge: Limited expert availability and restricted site access

Burns & McDonnell delivers infrastructure projects around the world, particularly in the energy and utility sectors. Field visits are often required for inspections, documentation, and verification of installations.

However, the company faced several operational challenges:

• highly specialized experts were located in different regions

• site inspections required frequent and costly travel

• infrastructure documentation was time-consuming

• pandemic-related and safety restrictions limited the number of people allowed on site

These challenges encouraged the company to look for technologies that could enable remote expert support during field operations.

Solution: RealWear smart glasses and the VisualSpection platform

The solution was the deployment of RealWear industrial smart glasses integrated with the VisualSpection platform developed by Manitoba Hydro International.

The system allows field workers to:

• stream live video from the job site

• consult with remote experts in real time

• perform infrastructure inspections

• capture technical data and documentation

The device operates hands-free, using voice commands and a head-mounted display attached to a safety helmet. This makes it suitable for demanding industrial environments where workers must keep both hands free for operational tasks.

Practical use in infrastructure projects

During energy and utility projects, a technician on site uses the camera integrated into the RealWear headset to stream live video to engineers and specialists located elsewhere.

This enables experts to:

• participate in remote site inspections

• analyze equipment and installations in real time

• guide technicians step by step during testing or troubleshooting

• support the creation of accurate technical documentation

As a result, fewer specialists are required on site while project teams can make faster technical decisions.

Results and operational benefits

The implementation of RealWear technology delivered measurable operational improvements:

• 33% reduction in field documentation errors

• five-times faster infrastructure documentation processes

• the ability for one expert to supervise multiple locations remotely

• reduced travel costs and improved access to expert knowledge

The technology proved especially valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions limited access to project sites. In many cases, a single field technician could conduct a virtual site walkthrough while multiple experts joined remotely.

Digital transformation of field operations

The Burns & McDonnell case demonstrates how assisted-reality technologies are becoming a key element of digital transformation in infrastructure and energy sectors.

Industrial smart glasses such as RealWear enable organizations to:

• digitize inspection and maintenance workflows

• accelerate knowledge transfer between experts

• maintain safety in industrial environments

• improve collaboration between field and office teams

By implementing these technologies, engineering and infrastructure companies can deliver projects faster, improve operational safety, and significantly reduce costs.

Sources:

• https://www.burnsmcd.com/news/innovative-products-navigate-on-site-restrictions
• https://www.realwear.com/resources/case-studies/burns-and-mcdonnell