Yara Marine Technologies has begun using AR smart glasses to virtually access vital vessel components, the firm announced on Wednesday.
AR technologies allow ship engineers and others to access key facilities on a vessel such as its engine room, but COVID-19 has limited access for many staff, prompting the shift to AR solutions.
Aleksander Askeland, Chief Security Officer at Yara Marine Technologies, explained the company had experimented with AR glasses for a while, which have boosted vessel servicing despite the pandemic blocking engineers from boarding vessels.
Mr Askeland said:
“With AR technology we have the visual field of the ship’s crew members on our monitors. While talking to the crew we can make markings, draw, and add text to the various engine parts they are looking at. This is useful when giving instructions and a very efficient way of training. It allows us to offer the best expertise available to every one of our clients across the globe, at any time, thereby increasing the quality and responsiveness of our services”
Such technologies allowed his firm to advise clients “across the globe, at any time”, boosting the quality and response of services.
The Oslo, Norway-based firm added it was seeking solutions with AR glasses, namely for remote customer services and training. But a high number of AR glasses providers made testing and development crucial to identifying challenges and optimising use.
Jesper Hellström, Head of Research and Development at Yara Marine Technologies, said the firm had completed a test run with engineers in Shanghai with AR glasses to train crews in Japan.
Speaking on feedback from the trials, Mr Hellström said:
“They tested a range of different functionalities with great results, such as the ability to draw instructions in the visual field of the crew being trained. There were some challenges with internet connectivity in the deepest parts of the vessel, especially in the engine room, which acted as a Faraday cage”
But Yara Marine resolved the issues as it continued to innovate its system, he concluded, adding it found AR glasses elimintated extensive travelling, saving costs and time, as well as reducing carbon emissions.
Benefits of AR Glasses for Shipping
According to Askeland, AR glasses would allow the firm provide services and training “in a more effective and agile way,” namely after it had completed a yard inspection with workers wearing AR glasses. Customers found the technology had boosted value of services, he added.
He concluded: “That means a lot to a green tech company like ours.”
Yara Marine Technologies is a firm specialising in emissions reduction for the shipping industry, and has been providing solutions to ship-owners, naval architects, and yards since 2010.
The news comes as several key firms have deployed AR solutions amid the ongoing pandemic, with Texas-based company LyondellBasell partnering with Microsoft for workforce AR tools.
US digital solutions firm PTC began supplying industrial-grade AR to numerous industries, which has significantly reduced training costs and boosted workplace efficiency, among other benefits.
