MIA: a wearable computer for bridge inspectors

MIA (Mobile Inspection Assistance) is a wearable computer system that helps bridge inspectors collecting multimedia information in the field and producing the inspection report. MIA allows an inspector to fill out the inspection form, access previous inspection reports, make sketch(s) of the bridge element(s), take photograph(s), and produce the inspection report via a voice or pen interface. The first prototype of the system was developed by students in a Wearable Computer Project Design Course at Carnegie Mellon University during Spring 1998 semester. The hardware and software aspects of the system is discussed, as well as the application of the system for inspection.