Mixed-Reality Ship Crew Training for Remote Vessel Familiarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge of training ship crews flexibly and effectively across different vessels of the same class or type, especially in scenarios where fixed relationships between crew and ship no longer exist, necessitating location-independent training that accounts for the unique specifications of each ship.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an actual ship as the primary training environment, combined with a simulator that creates a virtual representation of the ship in virtual reality, allowing crew members to practice operations and emergency procedures in a simulated environment that accurately mirrors the real ship's technical specifications, using smart glasses for data exchange and mixed reality interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If training is conducted only on the actual ship, then training realism and practical experience are improved, but training flexibility and location independence deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the actual ship through a simulator that replicates the ship's technical specifications, layout, and operational characteristics. This virtual replica enables crew members to train on the actual ship's systems and procedures without being physically present on the vessel, thereby maintaining training effectiveness while achieving location independence and scheduling flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication system that acts as an intermediary between the simulator and the actual ship. This system enables real-time data exchange, allowing the simulator to receive updated ship configurations and transmit training data back to the ship, thereby bridging the gap between virtual training and real-world operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If crew members train on different ships of the same class, then deployment flexibility is improved, but training consistency and ship-specific knowledge deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables each ship to have its own customized virtual training environment that reflects its specific characteristics, modifications, and operational profile. While the overall ship class provides a common foundation, each vessel's simulator can be tailored to its unique features, ensuring that crew members receive ship-specific training that maintains consistency with their actual operating platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal training platform that can serve multiple ships of the same class simultaneously. The simulator system can be configured to represent different vessels within the class, allowing a single training facility to provide consistent training for crews deployed to various ships while accommodating ship-specific variations through software configuration.
3Ease of operation
If the ship returns to port for crew changes, then crew replacement is simplified, but operational continuity and time loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables incoming crew members to complete their training on the virtual replica of the specific ship before boarding. This pre-training ensures they are familiar with the ship's systems, layout, and procedures, allowing them to integrate into the crew immediately upon arrival without requiring extended on-ship orientation periods, thereby maintaining operational continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs training actions in advance by allowing crew members to complete their ship-specific training on the simulator before actually boarding the vessel. This preliminary training preparation eliminates the need for extended in-port training periods and reduces operational interruptions associated with crew changes.
4Productivity
If training is limited to individuals or small groups, then training resource requirements are reduced, but overall crew readiness and comprehensive skill development deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple training functions into a single virtual environment that can accommodate entire crews simultaneously. The simulator can host multiple trainees at once, each working on different aspects of ship operations, while maintaining individualized training scenarios. This combines the efficiency of individualized training with the capability for comprehensive crew-wide training.
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for training a ship's crew, wherein, for the training, firstly the ship (10) on which the crew should be trained is used and secondly a simulator (30) is used. The simulator (30) is designed to produce a virtual reality of the ship (10) that is used. The ship (10) is located in a first location, and the simulator (30) is located in a second location, the first location being different from the second location. There is a first data transfer connection between the simulator (30) and the ship (10). At least one first person (20) is trained on board the ship (10). At least one second person (40) is trained in the simulator (30). The first person (20) uses first augmented reality glasses. There is a data connection between the first augmented reality glasses and the simulator (30). Data are exchanged between the simulator (30) and the first augmented reality glasses such that the first person (20) and the second person (40) are rendered in the virtual reality. The first person (20) performs actions not on real mechanical actuation elements of the ship (10), but rather on the virtual actuation elements in the virtual reality. The actions on the virtual actuation elements are performed at the location of the real actuation elements in the real ship (10). The simulator (30) simulates the reactions of the virtual ship to the actions of the first person (20) and of the second person (40) and renders the results in the virtual reality.