On November 4, Daewoo Shipbuilding announced that it has developed the mixed reality (MR) technology naval vessel integrated platform "DW-3000F Surface Vessel MR System." This is also the shipbuilding industry's first virtual ship construction experience platform.
Daewoo Shipbuilding stated that the platform combines virtual reality and augmented reality technologies into mixed reality, allowing users to experience the entire shipbuilding process. The platform can present virtual vessels to customers during meetings, which will help secure more ship orders and also help reduce shipbuilding costs by enabling workers to easily confirm information about vessels under construction.
It is understood that Mixed Reality (MR) is a further development of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies. By introducing real-world scene information into the virtual environment, it builds an interactive feedback information loop among the virtual world, the real world, and the user, enhancing the realism of the user experience. MR is an upgrade of AR technology that can seamlessly merge the virtual world and the real world into a virtual-real fusion world, in which physical entities and digital objects satisfy true three-dimensional projection relationships, creating a new visual environment.
The "DW-3000F Surface Vessel MR System" developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding features the ability to virtually experience the entire vessel construction process—from order intake to design, construction, maintenance, and crew training—in an environment identical to that of the actual vessel.
According to Daewoo Shipbuilding, using this system, in meetings with vessel buyers, simply starting a tablet will display the virtual vessel before their eyes, along with the weapon systems applicable to the vessel and their detailed information, allowing the buyer to directly select the desired configuration. Similarly, internal cabin equipment can also be selected in the same manner. In addition, virtual operation of the vessel can be performed, making it easy to confirm the startup procedures and maintenance management procedures of the main equipment onboard.
In particular, the system can also be applied at shipbuilding production sites, where designers and operators can directly confirm basic vessel construction information, construction processes, equipment startup guides, and maintenance-related information on site, improving production efficiency. Daewoo Shipbuilding stated that this can prevent recurring problems during vessel construction, guard against hazardous factors, and not only reduce safety accidents but also save construction costs.
The responsible person at Daewoo Shipbuilding involved in the system's development said: "As the company accelerates its digital transformation, by developing the MR vessel integrated platform, we will further enhance the company's future competitiveness. We expect that this digital platform-based integrated solution can be applied throughout the entire lifecycle of vessel design, construction, navigation, and maintenance, helping to secure orders and becoming the foundation for strengthening the company's business competitiveness and creating new added value in the future."
It is reported that the MR vessel integrated platform developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding completed its patent application in September this year and is preparing for registration examination. In addition, Daewoo Shipbuilding plans to expand the application of MR technology to its main ship types such as commercial vessels and offshore engineering equipment, providing global shipowners with the world's highest level of technology.
It is understood that "DW-3000F" is a new frigate previously ordered by the Royal Thai Navy from Daewoo Shipbuilding. The vessel is based on an improved version of the Republic of Korea Navy's KDX-1 "Gwanggaeto the Great" class destroyer, adopting US military standards in design and construction. It has a length of 123 meters, a width of 14.4 meters, a full-load displacement of 3,650 tons, can sustain a voyage of approximately 4,000 nautical miles at a speed of about 30 knots, features stealth design, and costs approximately US$416 million.
