Yara Marine Technologies, a provider of solutions that help to enable a greener maritime industry, has recently announced that it has been experimenting with augmented reality (AR) glasses. The company stated that when the pandemic stopped its service engineers from boarding vessels, it already had an alternative ready.
AR technology has enabled Yara Marine to see what a ship’s crew members see remotely on monitors. As a result, the company is now able to make markings, draw, and add text to various engine parts that are being viewed, all whilst communicating directly with crew members. Yara Marine stated that this has proved useful when giving instructions, and also serves as an efficient way of training crew members. Furthermore, it has allowed the company to offer the best expertise available to every one of its clients across the globe, at any time, thereby increasing the quality and responsiveness of its services, according to the company’s CSO, Aleksander Askeland.
Yara Marine has not specified exactly which AR glasses it has been utilizing, but according to Jesper Hellström, Head of Research and Development at Yara Marine Technologies, the company has experimented with multiple augmented reality glasses, and is continuing to try out new models as they enter the market.
Yara Marine has recognized the potential of using AR glasses to provide remote service and training to customers, and noted that the technology creates a wide range of new business opportunities and has the potential to revolutionise many of its work processes.
The company recently completed a successful test run with its engineers in Shanghai using AR glasses to provide crew training in Japan. Engineers tested a range of different functionalities with positive results, such as the ability to draw instructions in the visual field of view of the crew members being trained. There were apparently some challenges with internet connectivity in the deepest parts of the vessel though, particularly in the engine room, which acted as a Faraday cage [essentially blocking any electromagnetic fields]. However, Yara Marine stated that these issues have since been resolved as it continuously innovates and improves the system.
“AR glasses are digital tools that will enable us to provide service and training in a more effective and agile way. Just the other day we did a yard inspection with workers walking around for us with AR glasses while receiving different instructions. For our customers, AR technology results in increased value of services received. In addition, less need for travelling will cut costs for all parties involved, and decrease the emissions associated with our work. That means a lot to a green tech company like ours”, concluded Askeland.
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Image credit: Yara Marine Technologies
