Assisting Human-centred Ship Bridge Design through Virtual Reality

Mu, Bingyu; Bin Guo, Fang; Chu, Xiaohui · 2024 · Crossref

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005265

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Summary

This paper addresses the persistent issue of human error in maritime accidents, arguing that the indiscriminate introduction of technology into ship bridge design often exacerbates rather than mitigates risks. The authors contend that a shift from Technology-Centred Design (TCD) to Human-Centred Design (HCD) is essential to optimize the complex social-technical systems of ship bridges. However, HCD faces significant challenges in specialized domains like ship bridge design, where designers often lack the contextual knowledge and experience of seafarers. This gap hinders the effective translation of field research data into actionable design insights, leading to mismatches between operator capabilities and system demands. To bridge this gap, the paper proposes a novel application of Virtual Reality (VR) technology, distinct from its traditional use in training or usability testing, to facilitate a deeper understanding of the usage context during the design phase. The methodology integrates VR into the iterative HCD process, specifically focusing on the "understanding the context of use" stage. The authors adapt Lurås’s (2016) layered scenario mapping technique, digitizing it into a VR-constructed environment. This approach involves deconstructing a 60-minute training scenario from an actual ship bridge simulator into multiple information layers, including scenario descriptions, decision-making processes, tasks, equipment utilization, and actor positions. Using Blender 3.1, the researchers created a digital twin of the simulator’s interior, prioritizing spatial accuracy and equipment layout over high-fidelity texturing to meet time and budget constraints. The VR environment incorporates interactive touchpoints and gamified narratives to present these layered data dynamically, allowing designers to immerse themselves in the simulated workplace. This method aims to transform fragmented field research data into a shared, interactive knowledge repository that supports collaborative design reflection. The study demonstrates that VR-constructed layered scenario mapping enables designers to subjectively experience the ship bridge environment, fostering a nuanced understanding of the "life at sea" context without the logistical constraints of physical field studies. By visualizing 3D assets and narrative scenarios, the method helps multidisciplinary design teams, particularly those unfamiliar with maritime operations, to accurately capture design orientations and stimulate iterative thinking. The VR interface allows for the dynamic presentation of scenario sequences, helping designers identify potential usability issues and ergonomic challenges early in the design process. The authors note that this digital approach offers advantages over traditional paper-based maps, such as easy storage, modification, and remote collaborative access, thereby creating a continuously refined digital repository for design activities. The significance of this work lies in expanding the utility of VR beyond education and training into the core design and development phases of maritime systems. By enhancing the comprehension of usage contexts, the proposed method supports the creation of user-friendly interfaces and interactions, ultimately aiming to reduce human error and improve overall performance on ship bridges. The authors conclude that this VR-integrated HCD approach is adaptable to other specialized, niche social-technical systems, offering a cost-effective and agile solution for bridging the knowledge gap between designers and end-users in complex engineering projects.

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