A virtual reality experiment shows that augmented reality can improve collaboration in ship navigation

Area of Science:

• Maritime Safety
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Augmented Reality Applications

Background:

• Effective collaboration and situation awareness (SA) are critical for safety-critical operations, particularly in ship navigation.
• Augmented Reality (AR) presents an opportunity to enhance shared SA and communication by overlaying key information.
• Previous research highlights the potential of AR in complex operational environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of AR-enhanced navigation equipment on Situation Awareness (SA) and communication in ship navigation.
• To evaluate the usability and user perceptions of AR technology in a maritime context.
• To explore the potential of AR in facilitating collaboration during safety-critical operations.

Main Methods:

• A between-group experiment with 40 participants simulating ship bridge lookout roles in virtual reality.
• Comparison of conventional navigation equipment versus AR-enhanced equipment across two navigation scenarios.
• Measurement of Situation Awareness (SA), communication frequency, usability, and user reflections.

Main Results:

• Participants in the AR condition demonstrated significantly higher Situation Awareness (SA).
• The frequency of communication about SA was notably higher with AR-enhanced equipment.
• The AR prototype was assessed as usable, with participants providing feedback on its advantages and disadvantages.

Conclusions:

• Augmented Reality (AR) effectively facilitates shared situation awareness and enhances collaboration in ship navigation.
• AR technology shows promise for improving safety and operational efficiency in safety-critical maritime operations.
• Further research and development are warranted to optimize AR implementation in real-world navigation settings.