MOL Intros AR Navigation System
Japanese transportation major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) announced that, along with Furuno Electric, it made a joint presentation of their advanced augmented reality (AR)-based Navigation System.
The presentation introduced the background behind the technology and development of the system, as well as MOL’s efforts to "forge ahead to become the world leader in safe operation."
The AR Navigation System provides visual support to crew-members during their watch-keeping and ship operations by using AR technology to superimpose real-time video imagery and voyage information.
Large tankers, which have a deep draft (The vertical distance between the bottom of the hull and the waterline), require very careful ship operations in waters such as the Strait of Malacca, a highly congested shipping lane. If a collision or grounding occurred, it could lead to an oil spill and serious environmental disaster.
AR Navigation System can display combined real-time video images and vehicle course information from nautical instruments on a display in the bridge even in congested sea lanes.
Since it allows mariners, at a glance, to ensure that they are on a safe course, alerts them to nearby vessels that could pose a risk, shallow sea areas, and other potential hazards.
Using feedback gained at the conference, MOL will continue to work closely with FURUNO to study further upgrades to the system, with the goal of ensuring that the AR Navigation System will contribute to marine traffic safety through "the eyes of the captains and officers" who actually use the system onboard, and offer encouraging support to users.