DESIGN: "The future is not just about smarter, safer, and greener operations through cutting-edge technology – it is also about providing a more seamless interaction between humans and technology," says Bjørn Jalving, Chief Technology Officer and head of the Kongsberg Technology Forum.
As technology advances, the role of humans becomes even more critical. "We cannot accept a future that is not human-centered," Jalving emphasizes.
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The future of technology is human-centered
Over the past decade, the recognition of the risk that the human element might be overlooked has led to several research projects aimed at designing user-oriented solutions for the industry.
These projects have involved both The Ocean Industries Concept Lab at AHO and KONGSBERG. The collaboration has evolved from design solutions for ship bridges to broader industrial applications.
Effective design requires thoughtful and intentional planning of interactions between technology, screen-based userinterfaces and physical elements of control rooms, aligning them with the tasks and expectations of users.
Now, this cooperation will be formalized with KONGSBERG entering into an institutional agreement with AHO. This marks the first agreement with a specialized scientific college in the fields of design, architecture, landscape architecture, and urbanism.
Vital for competitiveness
The collaboration between KONGSBERG and AHO covers education, competence development, research and infrastructure.
The main area of the collaboration will be related to open innovation for user interaction and design for safety-critical areas. User-oriented design can help reduce the risk of accidents through the use of advanced technology.
"Design is becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness of Norwegian industry," says Kjetil Nordby, professor and head of the Ocean Industries Concept Lab research centre.
Ocean Industries Concept Lab has developed an open innovation platform, OpenBridge, to promote open innovation. Through OpenBridge, the research centre has established a direct channel, an open bridge, between academia and the field of practice. All research results and design solutions are made openly and freely available to designers and developers of products and services worldwide.
Shaping the next generation workplaces
"Several of our major customers are calling for a greater degree of standardization of design solutions. We will be able to use the collaboration to harmonise our products and give it a uniform KONGSBERG feel," says Jalving.
KONGSBERG and AHO see the collaboration as an opportunity to strengthen efforts to develop more sustainable solutions in the ocean industry.
"The collaboration with KONGSBERG highlights the competence and skills of both students, researchers and teachers at AHO," comments Irene Alma Lønne, rector of AHO.
"We are convinced that this partnership will help shape the next generation of user-oriented workplaces and promote open innovation in the maritime industry globally," declares Kjetil Nordby.