Augmented virtualised reality-Applications and benefits in remote handling for fusion

Over the last 10 years VR has been used at JET in an increasingly important role. It now finds use in various aspects of task preparation including planning, mock-up, training and task overview. It also plays an important role in actual operations where it is used to gain a more complete view of the work area. The JET VR implementation does not have on-line monitoring of the remote environment and the robot modelling has accuracy limitations, so this system cannot be used as the primary means of viewing. Work is currently underway with the aim of allowing such as system to run at ITER with full remote environment monitoring with high enough precision and accuracy so as to allow its use as the primary viewing method. This paper looks at how this augmented virtualised reality solution would be applied and considers some of the additional benefits AVR could have in remote handling for fusion. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.