SEA (Systems Engineering & Assessment Ltd) in Bristol has used Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology to develop a new tool for ships’ Officer of the Watch.
“AR is used to display only the necessary real-time information, which can originate from various sources”
The AR technology uses a Microsoft Hololens to present a single fused picture of all the relevant information needed by the officer as they manage a vessel’s course in a crowded seaway, taking data feeds from sources such as radar and chart displays.
The tool is even more important at night time or in periods of poor visibility and enables the officer to maintain heads up awareness from the bridge, while also providing data for points of interest not visible with the naked eye.
Easy identification of hazards
The system highlights fixed and dynamic hazards, identifies near horizon and over-the-horizon vessels using the ship Automatic Identification System (AIS) and provides track information, while also proposing a recommended course for avoiding action.
“AR is a very effective way to manage information workload of the Officer of the Watch”
The information to be displayed is configurable and can be filtered dependent upon the current task. Other benefits of the live augmented display include greater awareness of points of interest and more effective use of data to speed up decision making.
The innovative technology has been developed from SEA’s DECKsim products and can also be used for training.
“AR is a very effective way to manage information workload of the Officer of the Watch, instead of displaying all information. AR is used to display only the necessary real-time information, the make-up of which is fully configurable and can originate from various sources,” said Andy McGowan, Business Development Executive at SEA.
Consultancy SEA has offices in Bristol and Frome and is part of the Cohort group. You can follow it on Twitter here: @sea_limited
