Interaction - the key to VR training simulators

Many have tried simulators based on VR-technology, and more than a few have struggled more with the technology than the training scenario itself. To address this, Morild Interaktiv has developed a new physics based VR interaction engine that makes complex hand and finger interaction natural and intuitive to the end user.

High precision finger object interaction in Morild SimVis 3.0

Physical handling equipment and advanced simulation models has traditionally been the main focus in conventional training simulators. With the introduction of Virtual Reality (VR) there are new opportunities regarding cost-effectiveness and mobility, but also challenges. The display platform of VR is very engaging and immersive, and generates a lot of enthusiasm. However, this is not enough to provide a complete and good training simulator. As with any new technology many approaches have been tried in order to get the optimal result, for example combining physical handling equipment with VR (ie. replacing the traditional display medium with VR). In our experience, having VR training systems in operation for the past 8 years, this is not the optimal approach.

Operating virtual equipment in VR in Morild SimVis 3.0

Our conclusion is that a 100% virtual world is the overall ideal solution. We have therefore developed our own VR interaction engine, which makes interaction natural to the end user, enabling them to focus on the training exercise instead of operating the training simulator. This has proven to be a huge success!

Imagine a scenario where there are two training candidates, one is a playstation generation expert and the other an expert in the subject matter for the training exercise. If the training simulator is any good, the execution of the training scenario should reflect the experience and competence of the training candidates, not their competence and experience with computers and games. Our new VR interaction engine use hand and finger interaction with equipment and objects. There are many different aspects in order to emulate hand and finger interaction in VR, and subtle nuances to get it to "feel" natural. We are confident that we have achieved this, and that it will be a game changer in VR training simulators.

Handling object in VR with two hands in Morild SimVis 3.0

Through the process of developing our VR interaction engine, we have also realized that this opens up possibilities for training simulators in completely new areas, where this has not been practical or economically viable before. So Keep following us for more news on our upcoming next generation VR training simulators.

Demonstration of physics based hand interaction in Virtual Reality (VR), showcasing the capabilities the new Morild SimVis 3.0 VR interaction engine .

Video capture from Morild SimVis 3.0 VR interaction engine, showing our VR interaction test scene.

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The Morild SimVis 3.0 interaction engine will work with any hand controllers, gloves or hand tracking solutions. We have developed an automatic real time system for accurately assigning finger positions onto objects that the user grabs hold of, making it extremely fast and easy to introduce new interactive objects in a scene - no need for pre-defined target finger positions on objects.

The Arctic University of Norway chooses Morild Ice Simulator

Morild Ice VR-simulator has been preferred by the northern most university in Norway for ice navigation training. The University of Tromsø (UiT) has nearly 20.000 students and is recognised to deliver cutting-edge knowledge on arctic environment, safety and digital competence in education.

Morild Interaktiv is proud to collaborate with the highly competent nautical team at UiT. They strive for technological solutions that promote broad and inclusive social development and a diverse business development in the north. Technology which solves challenges related to health, the external environment and safety and operations in Arctic regions.

Students and the research society at UiT will use Morild Ice simulator for navigation training in polar waters, navigation at night, communication between ice breaker and vessel, and to evaluate ice concentration in specific areas. The simulator is equipped with a fully functional bridge for manoeuvring including ice radar, and will also enable UiT to explore the use of VR in simulation and visualisation as a part of their ongoing research.

The background for the co-operation between Morild Interaktiv and UiT is the increased shipping traffic in polar areas, which demands training of crew members to handle navigation in ice. Minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of deck officers on ships operating in polar waters has also become mandatory.

Morild Ice is a high quality cost-effective training solution based on VR technology which results in low hardware cost and high mobility. In other words – you can do training at any location.

Interested in more information on how we tailor mobile VR training simulators to your business? Please contact us!

The Morild IceNav VR simulator sets the standard for Polar Code navigation training. Please contact us at info@morildinteraktiv.no for a demo

Video capture from Ice Navigation VR simulator. Click video above to play.

NRK reportasje som omhandler bruken av VR teknologi i utdanningen og samarbeidet mellom Morild Interaktiv og avdeling for nautikk ved Universitetet i Tromsø (Norges arktiske universitet).

Story about our VR simulators in Norwegian National Television (NRK). Click video above to play.

Learning by doing

It is a fact that learning by doing is the most effective way to learn new procedures. This has R. Stahl Tranberg, a major supplier of helideck illumination systems, acknowledged and developed a stunning VR simulator for assembly of helideck lightning.

Together with R. Stahl Tranberg Morild Interaktiv have developed a mobile VR-simulator tailored for installation guidance of helideck lightning. The Helideck system from R. Stahl Tranberg includes, Circle & H, illuminated windsocks, flood-, perimeter-, status- and obstruction lights and control systems. The simulator allows you to familiarize with the products, assemble and control lights on a platform.

It is a growing trend in using VR-simulator technology as a manual for assembly and operation. R. Stahl Tranberg have operators in all corners of the world, and a mobile VR-simulator is a perfect tool to demonstrate how products are assembled and operated. In addition, it is perfect for sales and demonstration.

The VR simulator gives the user a full 360 degree view which make assembly of the helideck system extremely realistic. In addition, you can pick up and study each component in exploded view. The instructor can change sea state, visibility and toggle between day and night modes, and make you experience how the lights work from a helicopter – which also adds to the realism. All done by using an app on cell phone.

Morild Interaktiv is proud to co-operate with R. Stahl Tranberg. Since the company was established in 1901 in Stavanger, Norway - the TRANBERG name have been associated with quality. Through most of its 115 years of operation, the company has been challenged by the Norwegian ship building industry to develop and manufacture durable electro-mechanical products for marine applications. As the oil and gas industry built up its activity in the North Sea in the 70’s TRANBERG became an active partner for this industry and developed a wide range of electro-mechanical products for use in hazardous areas (Ex-products). 

Today R. Stahl Tranberg AS is a part of R. Stahl group, a leading supplier of products, systems and services for explosion protection and system safety worldwide. The company has decades of experience and offers explosion protection and safety technology in all forms, be it LED lighting, control boxes, signalling devices or monitoring equipment. 

The VR-helideck simulator was first launched at the Nor-shipping exhibit in June.

VR familiarization of offshore helideck and lighting system setup and installation

Video capture from VR simulator. Click video above to play.

Deep sea simulation

Highly sophisticated equipment has to be moved into the deep ​​when oil and gas are to be recovered from thousands of meters below seabed. On board the new rig Deepsea Nordkapp, simulator technology is now used to increase the safety and efficiency of underwater operations.

The brand new drilrig “Deepsea Nordkapp” of Moss CS-60 design is the newcomer in the Oddfjell Drilling fleet. The rig is built to carry out operations in the Barents Sea, and over the next two years, it will be drilling for Aker BP. Seaonics has delivered an electrically powered winch with operator stations and system containers. The winch is used to place subsea installations in connection with wellheads. Along with the delivery there is also a simulator that will be used for training of operators.

“The customer wanted a simulator because the winch itself is used relatively few times a year, and then with expensive equipment ​​involved. Operators must therefore be able to train on handling in periods between actual winch operations. This is why the simulator is made as a mobile device and placed onboard, says Kai Johnsen Product Manager Digital Solutions at Seaonics, who has led the development of the simulator.

Morild Interaktive is behind the visualization and wire physics in the simulator. The simulator on board Deepsea Nordkapp is a collaborative project where Seaonics simulates the control system and winch, which then connects to the visualization from Morild Interaktiv. “Seaonics sends signals from their simulation models that represent the handling of the equipment to our visual world, where our solutions visualize this in a extremely realistic way in real time. We have used the same approach for many clients over the years”, says CEO Olav Vorren in Morild Interaktiv. Vorren adds that the company also provides complete solutions, where they perform both simulation and visualization.

The simulator itself consists of a wheeled rack with simulator, hardware for driving the control system, control panel for the winch, radio control that is often used on deck, and an instructor station in the form of a tablet. Basically, a duplicate setup in relation to the control system for the winch itself.

The instructor of the simulator can trigger situations that the operator must respond to. The instructor application is web-based and runs on a tablet and communicates with the simulator via WiFi. The instructor can choose from four pre-defined scenarios that allow one to practice the most critical phases of lowering and lifting. In addition, the instructor can initiate several sets of error codes, ranging from overheating to cable breaks that the operator must be able to handle after a given procedure.

Subsea winch simulator in cooperation with Seaonics Please contact us at info@morildinteraktiv.no for a demo

Video capture from simulator. Click video above to play.

VR – from buzzword to practical application

Soon to be launched - VR lifeboat simulator

The use of VR-technology has gone from solely creating trilling enthusiasm to be an important tool for companies all over the world. And, the introduction of relevant content, in addition to the stunning realism, have rocketed the development of VR-simulators.

Morild Interaktiv developed the worlds first VR-ship simulator in 2013 for Rolls-Royce Marine, and have the last years delivered a range of simulators for the maritime industry. Development in technology combined with better interaction solutions and focus on quality content – have opened a whole new market for VR-based simulators for training and product demonstration.

Low cost compared to conventional simulators, and given the mobility of VR solutions means companies now can introduce simulators to a wider range of products. The most obvious areas of use are familiarisation, scenario- and product training, but we also experience that a simulator delivered with the product gives our customers unique advantages in sales.

There is also a growing trend in using VR-simulator technology in developing assembly and operation instructions. Many companies have operators in all corners of the world, and VR is a perfect tool to demonstrate how products are assembled and operated. It’s a fact that learning by seeing and doing are much more effective than reading instruction manuals.

Morild Interaktiv is presently working with VR-simulators for subsea winch operation, lifeboat operation and ship navigation. We look forward to show you all some examples 😊.