Becker Avionics specializes in communication, navigation, surveillance, and search and rescue equipment for air and ground operations. For 65 years, Becker Avionics has stood for first-class quality and reliability, delivering customer-focused solutions designed for the toughest operating conditions and safety requirements.
Becker Avionics has the advantage of being small enough to be flexible and customer-focused, yet large enough to guarantee fast delivery times and worldwide customer service. Its global presence, combined with its broad product portfolio, makes Becker Avionics a unique supplier in its industry.
The challenge
For decades, customers around the world have used Becker Avionics products for search and rescue missions. Rescue missions rarely take place under ideal conditions, and every minute counts. That is why situational awareness plays an especially crucial role in rescue missions.
Because Becker Avionics always strives to be a technology leader in its industry, the company was looking for a product innovation that would support rescue teams in their missions and make them even more successful. In the process, the company came across augmented reality technology. The goal was to provide team members with information without disrupting their established workflows. Becker Avionics then contacted VR Expert for advice on choosing the right AR hardware.
The solution
After extensive consultation and a range of test devices provided by VR Expert, Becker Avionics decided to offer the Vuzix M400 as its assisted reality hardware.
The company chose the Vuzix M400 because, in practical tests, it worked very well with the rescue teams' flight helmets, while also being rugged and resistant to environmental factors such as water, temperature and mechanical stress.
The M400's display sits below the wearer's line of sight, and the smart glasses can be operated hands-free. This keeps the crew's vision and hands free, so the supplementary visual information doesn't interfere with their actual tasks.
The Vuzix M400 can be used by the crews of search and rescue aircraft and helicopters, and there is also the option of using the technology on the ground, for example when searching rough terrain. Whether in the air or on the ground, the Vuzix M400 stands out for its low weight and intuitive handling.
Rescue teams always carry a Becker Beacon decoder to receive distress signals. Up to six Vuzix M400 smart glasses can connect to it and simultaneously access the information needed to search for injured people. The devices then display accurate information about the missing person's location, such as a directional indicator, distance and time to arrival, and a map of the surrounding area.
By adding the Vuzix M400 to its product portfolio, Becker Avionics stays true to its tradition as a technology leader.
Search and rescue teams benefit from the smart glasses through more efficient mission operations and a higher number of lives saved thanks to faster location of casualties, while also reducing the risk to their own crew.
"We chose the M400 model from Vuzix because the glasses come across as rugged and are user-friendly. We really appreciated the personal exchange and the advice from VR Expert. All our questions were answered in depth, and the communication was very professional."
Amanda Schulz, Marketing & Public Affairs Manager at Becker Avionics
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