Morild Navigator – Next generation bridge simulator

Video - click on image above to play

We are excited to present Morild Navigator, the next generation bridge simulator based on VR-technology.

Morild Interaktiv launched the world’s first VR bridge simulator back in 2013. Now we present the next generation which allows you to train ship navigation wherever and whenever you want. In addition, you can collaborate with you colleagues on the same bridge - even if he or she is located on the other side of the world.

Multi-user remote avatars with voice communication

Morild Navigator is a full mission bridge simulator based on VR technology. Unlimited number of users can train together in the same scenario, on the same or on different vessels. This is done using avatars – enabling you to see and talk with other participants in the training exercise. And the best part – they can be situated all around the world and join you in the same scenario. The solution scales very well to complex scenarios with many vesels and participants.

The key to making the best VR trainings simulators is dedication to interaction. We have developed our own VR interaction engine which makes hand interaction natural to the end user, enabling them to focus on the training exercise instead of operating the training simulator (read more about this here). Morild Navigator provides advanced physics based hand interaction which enables you to operate the fully virtual bridge consisting of joysticks, handles, buttons, radio, searchlight panel and much much more.

Interactive virtual touch-screen displays

We also present a new innovation in Morild Navigator – interactive virtual touch-screen displays. This functionality is used for the ECDIS, radar and conning applications on the bridge, and provides easy and accessible handling. And, since the bridge is virtual, we can integrate any 3rd party application of your choice on the virtual tocuh-screen displays. This is another component that opens up a whole range of new possibilities.

Morild Navigator also features a new ocean system with advanced spectrum simulation. This provides stunning visualisation and realistic vessel behaviour. The system features both JONSWAP and Pierson-Moskowitz Spectrums.

Morild Builder, instructor station and scenario builder

An integral part of Morild Navigator is the Morild Builder instructor station and scenario builder. With the Morild Builder you can create, control and manipulate complex scenarios in realtime. The application is also used as instructor station during scenario training, and for playback analysis in debriefing. It can also be used as a tool to plan operations, and it features realtime weather and sea state parameters, daylight system, advanced voyage route editing and much much more. We can deliver any geospecific location of your choice for your scenarios.

Morild Navigator is developed in close co-operation with nautical universities and experienced ship captains. It can be delivered both as a mobile or stationary solution, and since the hardware cost is low, it is cost-effective to scale up for complex scenarios with multiple users and vessels.

Morild Navigator can also be delivered as custom solution with your specific vessel, bridge and handling equipment.

For more information and a demonstration – don’t hesitate to contact us 😊

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.