"The effect of Realism with the incorporation of Virtual Reality in Maritime Simulation Training"

The growth of #simulation in #training has grown rapidly over the last 20 years. Due to the numerous benefits across a wide and varied range of industries and applications. The main driver for this development in simulation has been the technology available to run the systems and therefore the effectiveness of the simulation as a training tool. Being able to replicate and create numerous different scenarios safely and cost-effectively.

When we look back to the start of maritime simulation with Light boards closely resembling a phone operator’s switchboard compared to the highly realistic full mission cockpits and bridges that we have now. Simulation has come a long way.

The availability of innovative technology to power these simulators has meant a change to the application and use of the technology and how we utilize them to teach. Previously due to cost and rarity, Simulation was a reservation for the wealthy #METI or the higher-level officers. With the use of widely available standardized hardware, simulation has been opened and is now more widely available and tailored to the training than ever before. With uses from Initial officer training to research and port studies. The uses of simulation are vast and therefore the design and development of these systems reflect that.

The initial phase of this study is to understand what the fidelity of the system is. Can the #fidelity or realism be subdivided and if so, do these affect the uses in diverse ways? With the application of hydrodynamic data as well as the advances in graphical interfaces. We address that there are two main types or categories of fidelity. Entering, we assumed that fidelity would be marked as good or bad, with the simplistic approach that the better the fidelity the better the system however, more expensive.

As we researched this thesis it was clear the fidelity should not be remarked as good and bad but high and low. The level of fidelity should then be matched to the level of training, or the application required. The introduction of modern technology adds a new element to the available training plethora. These new styles of display mechanism or interaction again have a reserved application in the training syllabus. Identified for as small boat training and ship handling, we set out to understand the limitations of Virtual reality in simulation. By better understanding the limitations of the systems we can identify their uses and benefits.

The ability to immerse the user is higher in the #virtualreality world, with the added field of view and a higher feeling of being “Part of the Vessel” it was understood that this increased level of physical fidelity needed to be paired with a maintained level of functional fidelity. This is where previous systems have fallen and failed to maintain the levels due to the data requirements.

With #wartsila #SmartRealalties running off the same backbone system (NTPro 6000). Wartsila has been able to maintain and in some cases improve the Functional fidelity of the system which was already regarded as some of the best in the industry by its current users. They have then matched this to an improved level of Physical fidelity utilizing Virtual Reality HMDs. With the new Docking screen added to the system the use of the Virtual Reality system for ship handling training aids the user in his spatial awareness and pairs this with the increased FOV offered from the HMD system. The participants improved feeling of inclusion raises the effectiveness of the training output.

The Full Paper can be accessed here - https://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.23766.11848