Meemim and Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority brings HoloLens-based mixed reality to municipal work

Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist Meemim has partnered with Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority to bring their mixed reality expertise to municipal work.

Toms River Municipal Utilities Authority (TRMUA) will be using the HoloLens to peer deep underground to locate hidden pipe and cables to speed the work of field crews.

“The TRMUA has built a robust Geographic Information System (GIS) using ESRI’s ArcGIS Online Services. With our utility infrastructure and data now online, we can have real-time collaboration with our field crews,” says Len Bundra, IT/GIS Director of Toms River MUA. “Field workers can now literally ‘see’ utility lines beneath their feet, when viewed through the Microsoft HoloLens. This takes GIS to a whole new dimension of dynamic mapping and data retrieval.”

The Meemim vGIS application leverages Microsoft HoloLens to deliver real-time in-field holographic visualization of underground pipes, valves, cables and other utility objects, including related information and support materials. The system combines object holograms with object-specific data to provide a hands-free method for field technicians to understand the infrastructure they need to service while on site.

In-field trials show that the system speeds up planning, shortens in-field work time, reduces errors and improves safety.

“Current utility-locating equipment doesn’t take advantage of the wealth of data that already exists in municipal databases,” notes Alec Pestov, CEO of Meemim. “Toms River MUA has a vision of how utility systems management should evolve, and we’re pleased to be their technology partner to bring their vision to life. Working together, Meemim and TRMUA have been able to create a completely new type of utilities-management platform by leveraging ESRI’s ArcGIS, Microsoft HoloLens and Microsoft Azure technologies.”

Adds Pestov, “We ran a system preview for a select group of MUAs, mapping services providers, utilities and emergency response services, and the feedback has been hugely positive. We believe the utilities-management community is ready to embrace the Meemim vGIS solution.”

Those interested can read more at Meemim’s website here.