Technology Title
Proximus™: Grounded AI Guidance at the Point of Maintenance
Tech Focus Area
Workforce Development/Visualization
Abstract
Problem Statement
Department of War (DOW) maintenance organizations are losing experienced technicians faster than new personnel can reach proficiency. Maintainers lose time searching static manuals, waiting for subject matter expert (SME) support, and interpreting procedures inconsistently across shifts and locations. Training content is often disconnected from work instructions used on the shop floor. The result is longer cycle times, higher rework and safety risk, and reduced readiness in depots, shipyards, and field maintenance.
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Description of the Innovation Solution
Proximus™ closes these gaps by combining technician-controlled authoring, AI grounded in approved content, and disconnected field deployment in a single point-of-work platform. Through a no-code, browser-based interface, maintainers and instructors can update and publish procedures in minutes, keeping guidance current as equipment and processes change.
Proximus™ embeds a small language model (SLM) that enables technicians to ask procedure-specific questions in natural language. The SLM is grounded in approved content, not open-web data, limiting unsafe AI output. Lightweight imagery delivers fast load on field devices, with 3D available when needed rather than required for every procedure. It runs on Toughbooks, on-prem, and in the cloud, putting guidance where maintenance happens, connected or disconnected.
Benefits to the DOW
In a prior workforce modernization deployment, Proximus™ reduced one readiness pipeline by approximately 67%, accelerating workforce readiness without lowering qualification expectations. Proximus™ cuts SME burden by giving technicians self-service answers, shortens cycle time via consistent, validated procedures, and lowers safety risk by replacing tribal knowledge with traceable, controlled content. With integrated skills tracking, leaders gain real-time visibility into workforce readiness. Proximus™ is service-agnostic, applicable across aviation depot maintenance, shipyard sustainment, ground vehicle repair, munitions, and DLA-supported supply operations.
Innovation Challenges
Safety-critical maintenance demands reliable AI, legacy environments complicate integration, and mixed security levels constrain deployment. Grounding the SLM in approved content keeps AI output aligned to validated procedures. Proximus™ integrates with existing learning and maintenance systems to protect current investment. For secure deployment, Proximus™ operates at Impact Level 4 (IL-4) and is authorized to host Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Technical Maturity / Demonstration Results
Proximus™ is in active use under multi-year Army training, manufacturing, and sustainment contracts, supporting digital work instruction, content delivery, and technician training. Ongoing prototype work extends Proximus™ from training to operational maintenance, adding AI support grounded in technical content.
