The engine room gets the augmented reality treatment

Engineers onboard are set for a significant tech upgrade when it comes to technical guidance with the launch of a suite of augmented reality tools from MAN Energy Solutions.

“Augmented reality provides a new way to give intuitive instructions and guidance on-site and on demand. Using mobile devices or head-mounted displays, TechGuide enables engineers to use their preferred learning style on a job, whether through 3D-models, animations, video, to have instructions read aloud or to browse a pdf,” the engine manufacturer stated in a release, claiming its new TechGuide is unique in terms of interactive engine documentation in the industry.

Per Hansson, head of digital and strategy at MAN Energy Solutions, said: “We foresee great benefits for our customers in the digital transformation of technical documentation. Thanks to the rapid development of information technology, MAN CEON TechGuide facilitates an intuitive documentation solution aimed at the safe and fast execution of maintenance and troubleshooting, and will further optimise the availability of our customers’ vessels.”

Hansson added: “Technical documentation needs to be available on the platforms preferred by the modern generation of marine engineers and shipowners. Augmented reality is nowadays a proven and intuitive technology that makes it easy to deal with increasingly complex maintenance-procedures.”

Currently, the TechGuide is being tested aboard a number of bulk carriers owned by Singapore-based Berge Bulk, connected to the owner’s fleet maintenance and management system. When a maintenance job has been completed using the TechGuide, the information is automatically uploaded to the owner’s system via wifi in the engine room, simplifying administrative procedures.

Dr Lars Gruenitz from Berge Bulk commented, “With the app working in tandem with our current fleet management system, we believe that it will not only significantly reduce our crew’s work load, but that it will also further enhance the quality and reliability of our maintenance operations.”

James Marshall-led Berge Bulk is gaining a reputation for being at the forefront of tech trials in the dry bulk sector. Splash reported last week how the Singapore company was trialling 3D printing of spare parts.