VR demo at CalMac HQ

Virtual Reality demonstration at Calmac!

On Tuesday 20th May, Prof. Iraklis Lazakis and Mr. Dimitrios Sykas of the Department of Naval Architecture, Ocean & Marine Engineering (NAOME) of the University of Strathclyde (UoS) visited Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) HQ in Gourock as part of Green Marine project. They had the opportunity to demonstrate a portable Virtual Reality (VR) application developed at NAOME to both technical and non-technical CalMac personnel.

The VR app enables an immersive exploration of a Calmac vessel internal and external spaces. It is built using 360° images captured within the engine room, the stabiliser room, as well as external views during the vessel’s drydocking. The VR tool aims to improve the familiarity of Green Marine project members and Calmac personnel with the vessel’s internal and external layout, as direct physical access can be limited at times.

The VR app was very well received by personnel attending on the day and valuable feedback was provided to further validate the use of the VR app. A productive discussion with CalMac colleagues followed up on potential future applications of the VR technology, expanding beyond its current scope. Ideas explored included survey planning, crew training and familiarisation, digital twin development, and enhancing passenger experience through virtual tours among other potential use.

We would like to thank all CalMac personnel who joined the VR app presentation and demonstration and especially Mr Alex Cross for hosting and organising event, providing an opportunity to further expand on applied research in the maritime field.

Green Marine is an EU/UK funded project which aims to significantly accelerate climate neutrality of waterborne transport through retrofitting existing fleets with cost and emission control solutions. Retrofitting protocols and a software tool catalogue will be developed and validated to support decision makers to assess the feasibility of such emission-reduction solutions.