In the April issue of T&D World Magazine, Rich Maxwell penned an article on the state of transmission and distribution apps where he highlighted the wide variety of mobile apps that are popping up in support of a growing assortment of electric utility field use cases.

Maxwell noted that collectively, these powerful apps are serving as a “modern tool in the lineman’s toolbox” and delivering a myriad of benefits – including operational efficiency, reduced response times, increased productivity and much more.

The article also explored the power of augmented reality (AR) applications, declaring they will “take mobile apps and GIS technology to a new level.”

Maxwell described how Index AR Solutions is deploying AR apps at several utilities for training and common field practices and specifically called out the company’s new LineAssist SuperApp® product.

Maxwell explained how the augmented reality in LineAssist helps linemen such as those at Westar Energy more quickly and easily troubleshoot five separate controllers as well as install and remove four specific voltage regulators.

The article noted how LineAssist, the first offering in Index AR’s SuperApp® product family, places preinstalled 3-D virtual imagery of the controllers and regulators on a worker’s mobile device screen, superimposed over the actual real-time view on the screen.

Ultimately, LineAssist helps linemen in the field visualize and more safely and easily perform key tasks in the troubleshooting and repair process.

To read the full article in T&D World Magazine, click here.