Crowley Maritime and classification and advisory services company ABS are teaming up on augmented and virtual reality (VR) technology for vessels and other marine environments.
The companies have said that they plan to work on a joint pilot effort for classification-related survey support work, including aspects of annual and special surveys including task crediting.
The project also encompasses work with surveyors, engineers and back-office survey support, virtual walkthroughs and livestreams with remote and hybrid survey techniques, Crowley added.
“Partnership is key to sustainable growth and success in maritime services, and we look forward to working with ABS to advance innovation technology for the benefit of our maritime ecosystem and our customers,” Crowley Shipping Vice President Cole Cosgrove said. “These innovations will provide mariners a safer and more efficient option.”
The joint agreement announced Sept. 27 bolsters Crowley’s new service network that uses augmented reality developed by Kognitiv Spark on certain vessels in which crew members use goggles to offer ship equipment visuals in real time to help technicians who are remote to work on solutions.
The technology was unveiled at Crowley’s inaugural Innovation Expo in April.
“Augmented reality technology is a field technology, so in collaborating with forward-looking companies like Crowley, we can explore what’s possible for future survey operations as well as for safety in use,” ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Patrick Ryan said. “ABS class services are leading the industry and finding ways to enrich the data used to both streamline the class process and also keep mariners and our surveyors safe.”
