Bridging Maritime Navigation with AR
Role
Project
Duration
UX/UI Designer, Animator and Video Editor
AR App Design
4 months
Rethinking the Future of Transport
The future of transport is constantly evolving, shaped by innovation and emerging technology. While advancements in AR and VR were making waves in road and rail transport, maritime navigation remained largely untouched by these developments.
This raised a crucial question: Could Augmented Reality enhance ship navigation without requiring major changes to existing vessels? Inspired by modern technology, sci-fi interfaces, and gaming UI, we explored how AR could improve situational awareness, streamline decision-making, and ultimately make maritime travel safer and more efficient.
That’s how Sail Safe was born—a navigation system designed to bridge the gap between traditional maritime methods and cutting-edge AR technology.
Navigating the Challenges of Traditional Ship Systems
Aboard modern ships, navigation depends on multiple independent instruments like gyrocompasses, radar, and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System). While each of these is highly functional, they operate separately, forcing the crew to constantly switch between them, leading to:
✦ Information Overload – Crucial data is scattered across multiple screens, making it harder to process in real time.
✦ Delayed Response Times – Navigators must piece together fragmented information, slowing decision-making.
✦ Situational Awareness Gaps – Instead of a unified view, the crew manually interprets data from different sources.
✦ High Crew Coordination Demands – Ship navigation requires multiple crew members to monitor different data streams. Ensuring that all this information reaches the captain in time for critical decision-making can be challenging, leading to potential delays and errors.
We saw this as an opportunity: Could AR consolidate these scattered elements into a single, streamlined interface?
Sail Safe: A Smarter Approach to Navigation
Our solution was Sail Safe, an AR-based real-time navigation system that overlays critical data directly into the crew’s field of vision using the Microsoft HoloLens 2. With AR integration, crews can access key information instantly without taking their eyes off their surroundings.
✦ Seamless Situational Awareness – Critical data like hazards, weather, and optimal routes are displayed in real-time.
✦ Reduced Cognitive Load – By integrating all essential data into a single AR interface, the crew can focus on making decisions instead of interpreting scattered data.
✦ Faster Reaction Times – With instant updates, crews can respond immediately to changes in navigation conditions.
✦ Confident Decision-Making – A clear, intuitive AR interface empowers the crew with precise, real-time insights.
How It Works
To turn Sail Safe from an idea into a functional system, we mapped out the system architecture—the backbone that connects all components into a seamless experience.
Inputs: How Information is Collected
✦ Touch Gestures – Users interact with the system through hand movements.
✦ Voice Commands – Hands-free voice control allows the crew to request information effortlessly.
✦ Head Movements – Users can navigate menus and focus on key areas by moving their heads.
Processing: Transforming Data into AR Experience
✦ Navigation Data Integration – Combines information from radar, compass, and GPS systems to generate real-time updates.
✦ Environmental Awareness – Pulls data on weather conditions, nautical hazards, and ship traffic to improve decision-making.
✦ AI-Based Decision Support – Uses smart algorithms to highlight critical information and suggest optimal actions.
Outputs: Enhancing Crew Interaction
✦ Visual Augmentations – Overlays maps, waypoints, and alerts onto the crew’s field of view.
✦ Auditory Feedback – Voice alerts provide navigation updates and warnings.
✦ Haptic Feedback – Subtle vibrations signal urgent notifications like approaching hazards.
By streamlining these elements, Sail Safe ensures that critical information is easily accessible without overwhelming the crew.
Why We Chose the Microsoft HoloLens 2
To bring Sail Safe to life, we selected Microsoft HoloLens 2, a mixed reality headset that projects holograms into real-world environments. This choice was driven by:
✦ Hands-Free Control – Gesture and voice commands allow navigators to operate the system without distractions.
✦ Seamless Integration – The headset connects effortlessly with existing ship systems, minimizing disruptions.
✦ Familiarity & Usability – The HoloLens 2 UI framework aligns with known design principles, reducing the learning curve for users.
Sail Safe in Action
While limited resources prevented testing with ship crews, we conducted usability tests with young professionals and designers familiar with AR technology.
📽 Prototype Demonstration – Participants reviewed a simulation of Sail Safe in action through video prototype.
🗣 User Interviews – Feedback focused on the clarity, intuitiveness, and potential improvements of the system.
Key Insights:
✦ Highly Immersive – Users found the experience engaging and natural
✦ Clear & Intuitive – Data presentation was non-intrusive yet comprehensive
✦ Valuable for Training – Recognized as a powerful tool for AR-based maritime training
✦ Refinements Made – Adjustments were implemented based on participant suggestions
Expanding AR’s Role in Maritime Navigation
As AR technology evolves, Sail Safe has the potential to expand into:
✦ Real-Time Maintenance Assistance – AR overlays for repair and troubleshooting guidance.
✦ Crew Collaboration Tools – AR-enhanced communication between crew members and ship stations.
✦ Large-Scale Display Integration – Bringing AR-enhanced navigation to bridge displays and larger control systems.
✦ On-Demand AR Training – Interactive tutorials for crew members, making onboarding more efficient and immersive.
The Future of AR in Ship Navigation
The maritime industry is at the cusp of a transformation, and Augmented Reality is poised to be a game-changer. By enhancing situational awareness, reducing cognitive load, and improving response times, Sail Safe represents a bold step forward for ship navigation.
Maritime transport has long been bound by tradition, but with innovations like Sail Safe, we are setting sail towards a future that is safer, smarter, and more connected.
