A real-time digital twin for active safety in an aircraft hangar

Abstract

The aerospace industry prioritises safety protocols to prevent accidents that can result in injuries, fatalities, or aircraft damage. One of the potential hazards that can occur while manoeuvring aircraft in and out of a hangar is collisions with other aircraft or buildings, which can lead to operational disruption and costly repairs. To tackle this issue, we have developed the Smart Hangar project, which aims to alert personnel of increased risks and prevent incidents from happening. The Smart Hangar project uses computer vision, LiDAR, and ultra-wideband sensors to track all objects and individuals within the hangar space. These data inputs are combined to form a real-time 3D Digital Twin (DT) of the hangar environment. The Active Safety system then uses the DT to perform real-time path planning, collision prediction, and safety alerts for tow truck drivers and hangar personnel. This paper provides a detailed overview of the system architecture, including the technologies used, and highlights the system’s performance. By implementing this system, we aim to reduce the risk of accidents in the aerospace industry and increase safety for all personnel involved. Additionally, we identify future research directions for the Smart Hangar project.