New AR binoculars in Nienhagen: Experience the underwater world up close!

New AR binoculars in Nienhagen: Experience the underwater world up close!

The coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will have an impressive highlight this summer: in the Baltic Sea resort of Nienhagen, in the Rostock district, visitors can use a new type of augmented reality binoculars that are operated by the yellow research platform in the water. This platform comes from the Fraunhofer Institute for Graphical Data Processing and offers the opportunity to gain exciting insights into the underwater world with its AR binoculars.

With the binoculars, visitors can not only enjoy the real environment, but also interact with virtual images and information about research in the underwater world. Specifically, videos and animations are provided that reveal the researchers' work and provide interesting insights into maritime protection topics, such as the protection of submarine cables and maritime ecosystems. The project aims to improve public relations and accessibility for those interested by showing the importance of preserving the underwater world.

Innovative technologies from maritime research

The AR binoculars are free and accessible on the cliffs in Nienhagen, making them an ideal attraction for both locals and tourists. NDR 1 Radio MV has already reported on this topic and emphasizes the importance of such initiatives for research.

The maritime economy has changed significantly in recent years, and technologies such as augmented reality are playing an increasingly important role. The work of the Fraunhofer Institute is part of a larger project that develops innovative services in the maritime industry. This initiative shows various solution approaches that aim to individualize and technically optimize ships. An important component here is the collection of relevant operational data through a digital twin that is available to crew members anytime and anywhere.

The role of AR in the maritime sector

Another aspect of the research deals with the use of machine learning and big data analytics to improve efficiency and identify weak points in operations. These methods allow the crew to carry out maintenance processes independently, which can avoid expensive downtime. AR instructions are particularly helpful, as they significantly reduce the training effort: maintenance guides are visualized with real-time data, which significantly simplifies the work and the learning process.

The challenges and potential of augmented reality in the maritime industry are also the subject of intensive research. A study by the ZGDV/Fraunhofer IGD analyzes how AR can revolutionize the way we work. It turns out that the industry can benefit significantly from the advantages such as increased quality and efficiency. Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with its well-developed telecommunications infrastructure and a strong call center industry, offers an ideal environment for the development of such AR services.

This makes the region not only a location for tourist attractions, but also a future-oriented location for modern technologies in the maritime economy. The AR binoculars are just the beginning - the future certainly holds many more innovative solutions.

Further information about the project and the research platform can be found at NDR, Fraunhofer IGD and Use AR.