NASA Students Invent AR Glasses to Fix Planes Hands-Free

Imagine fixing a plane while voice-activated glasses show you exactly what to do, document your work automatically, and let you keep both hands on the job.

That's exactly what five students from South Dakota State University created. Their invention, called WINGMAN, just won first place at NASA's fifth annual Gateways to Blue Skies Competition in Hampton, Virginia.

The augmented reality safety glasses work like a mechanic's digital assistant. They display voice-controlled repair manuals, recognize parts through photo technology, and handle all the paperwork automatically. Mechanics can access everything they need for routine inspections and minor repairs without ever touching a screen or flipping through a manual.

The timing couldn't be better. The U.S. aviation industry faces a serious shortage of qualified maintenance workers just as planes need to stay in service longer than ever. Flight safety concerns are increasingly in the spotlight, making innovations like WINGMAN crucial for keeping America's aircraft airworthy.

"This year's finalists proposed novel ideas to equip companies and their workers with innovative technologies to help keep our nation's planes airworthy," said Steven Holz, associate project manager for NASA's University Innovation Project. A panel of judges from NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, Southwest Airlines, and American Airlines evaluated the proposals.

Team lead Owen Diede credits their faculty advisor and design committee for the win. "This was a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow, and we are incredibly thankful for the experience," he said.

The competition challenged student teams to develop systems that could transform commercial aircraft maintenance by 2035. Nine finalist teams presented their research at NASA's Langley Research Center in May 2026, competing for recognition and valuable internship opportunities.

The Ripple Effect

The WINGMAN team members will intern at one of NASA's four aeronautics research centers during the 2026-27 academic year. They'll work alongside aerospace professionals in California, Ohio, and Virginia, potentially turning their college project into real-world technology that transforms how America maintains its aircraft fleet.

Other winning concepts included quantum sensors for detecting aircraft damage and robotic devices for inspecting hard-to-reach areas. Each addresses the same critical challenge: keeping planes safe while facing workforce shortages.

These students are building the future of aviation safety, one innovation at a time.