Project description
The maritime sector must make significant changes to reduce its carbon footprint. Digital user interfaces are a critical component of this transition, as they enable seafarers to operate new technologies safely and efficiently. As new energy-efficient technologies are introduced into the industry, they must be integrated effectively into already complex maritime workplaces. Despite the importance of digital interfaces, there are currently no design guidelines supporting the development of safe and energy-efficient maritime user interfaces. There are also few available examples demonstrating how to design interfaces for emerging technologies such as large-scale wind propulsion or new energy carriers like hydrogen. The lack of such guidelines may weaken end-usersʼ ability to adopt new technologies safely and effectively.
OpenZero aims to develop open and freely available design guidelines for user interfaces, specifically targeted at energy-efficient maritime operations. The project will contribute to the development of systems that support navigators and maritime personnel in carrying out safe and energy-saving operations.
The project has already made several steps towards its objectives. Multiple iterations of a decision-support system have been developed, capable of aggregating information across maritime systems. Furthermore, user interface components have been created to standardize how decision support can be integrated into applications through design patterns, instruments, and UI components. These are now published as Creative Commons components in OpenBridge and as open-source code in the OpenBridge code libraries.
We have also had significant activity related to wind propulsion. A field study has been conducted to better understand wind propulsion on large vessels, and UI components have been delivered to support different wind technologies, sensors, instruments, and icons. These are now ready for use in full-scale installations. Components that standardize the visualization of trim, slamming, and vibrations have been developed and added to the component library. In addition, fuel meters and other energy-consumption indicators have been created for user interfaces. Work has also begun on interfaces for route planning, with a particular focus on integrating weather data into voyage planning.
OpenZero is driven by a strong coalition of partners that promote open innovation in the design of maritime user interfaces. Each partner contributes unique perspectives, needs, and challenges to the collaboration. In addition, a PhD position has been established to explore how design can support behavioral change related to energy consumption. To ensure the widest possible dissemination of project results, they will be integrated directly into OpenBridge – the worldʼs leading open design system for maritime user interfaces. Many UI components have already been shared through thenOpenBridge code library.
