Force Technology, the Denmark-based maritime tech firm, has just dropped a game-changer in the tug simulator arena with its latest installation at Smartship Australia. The 2024 rollout of SimFlex XR in Queensland isn’t just another tick in the box; it’s a bold stride towards redefining how tug masters and crews hone their skills. This isn’t your grandad’s simulator; it’s a risk-free, fully immersive playground that’s set to shake up the industry.
SimFlex XR is the evolution of Force Technology’s SimFlex4 platform, and it’s not just an upgrade; it’s a revolution. By harnessing the power of extended reality (XR) and virtual reality (VR), SimFlex XR serves up a fully immersive experience where trainees get their hands on real-world tug controls while navigating dynamic, high-fidelity environments. It’s like being in the matrix, but with more waves and less Keanu Reeves.
Jan Michelsen, Force Technology’s director of simulation, is quick to point out the benefits. “At the entry level, participants learn to handle their own tug safely during transit and simple towing operations according to the pilot’s orders,” he says. But it doesn’t stop at the basics. Trainees also get to grips with procedures before, during, and after towing, as well as approaching and connecting to different positions on a vessel. And the best part? It’s all incredibly realistic, especially in terms of physics. From the way the vessel reacts to thrust to the accurate, high-fidelity modelling of lines and chains, it’s as close to the real thing as you can get without leaving dry land.
Smartship Australia’s adoption of the SimFlex XR platform is a clear indication of a shift in how tug training is delivered. The newly installed simulator features a full tug bridge setup, complete with interactive controls that mirror real vessel behaviour. We’re talking high-fidelity visuals, a 360° field of view, and the capability to integrate real-time propulsion and hydrodynamic responses. It’s like being on the bridge, but without the saltwater and the risk.
The simulator also includes Force Technology’s advanced new DEN-Mark2 mathematical model, which refines manoeuvring accuracy, line force calculations, and real-world hydrodynamic effects. All of which are critical for precision tug operations. “The model accuracy, immersive experience, and ease of use are key priorities for our customers,” Mr Michelsen adds. “SimFlex XR not only delivers on these, but also disrupts traditional training workflows, especially with a much more agile multi-XR headset setup, allowing multiple users to participate in the same exercise.”
And that’s where things get really interesting. The ability to conduct multi-user, fully immersive training exercises is a game-changer. Tug operations rely on precise co-ordination between multiple vessels, making it essential for crew members to understand each other’s actions in real-time. SimFlex XR enables tug masters to practise working in sync with pilots and other vessels under various conditions, including extreme weather and emergency scenarios. It’s like having a crystal ball, but with more waves and less fortune-telling.
But Force Technology isn’t stopping at SimFlex XR. The company has also rolled out a green screen-based SimFlex XR solution at Capital Ship Management’s new training centre in Greece. While not tug-specific, this technology highlights the potential for even more realistic tug-handling training going forward. The integration of XR/AR with a green screen environment enhances the immersive experience by allowing trainees to interact with real equipment while surrounded by a blended, fully virtualised environment. “This is the most advanced ship bridge simulation solution available today,” says Mr Michelsen. “It creates an entirely seamless blend of the real and virtual, enhancing training outcomes while reducing hardware and power consumption.”
The green screen system’s principles are directly applicable to the tug environment. The ability to train using real controls, embedded within a fully immersive simulation, is already a feature of SimFlex XR. But enabling crews to use real controls in the room without immersion-breaking graphical issues is a breakthrough.
Force Technology also provides SimFlex XR on board vessels, uniquely enabling simulator training on the actual bridge using real-life controls. While green screen is clearly impossible in this environment, the system connects safely to a vessel’s existing propulsion and steering systems, enabling crews to train from the comfort of the wheelhouse when the vessel is on downtime. This unlocks an opportunistic approach to upskilling in a flexible and realistic training environment, without requiring crew to travel. It’s like having a personal trainer for your tug, but without the gym membership.
So, what does this all mean for the future of the maritime industry? Well, it’s clear that the days of traditional tug training are numbered. The shift towards immersive, multi-user simulations is
