Damen wins award for human machine interface

The HMI, developed by Damen in partnership with VanBerlo, has won a Product 2019 Award at the UX Design Awards which honour innovative solutions that add value to applications, technologies and services.

The system was created in consultation with captains and chief engineers to improve the safety and efficiency of Damen’s tugs by providing the crew with information to control and operate the vessel in an easy-to-use format.

“During operations, decision making by the crew has to be quick, despite them being under pressure, so any information has to be clear and relevant to each particular stage of the operation,” explained Damen’s Jeffrey Jacobs, technical manager tugs. “The HMI covers the full integrated class-approved alarm, monitoring and control system and can be accessed from the wheelhouse control station, on the main deck and in the switchboard rooms of the tugs.”

The jury nominated 51 projects from more than 20 countries to participate in the UX Design Awards 2019. From those it selected ten winners following two days of thorough testing and deliberation.

In giving the award to Damen, the jury called the system ‘a flawless example of a tailor-made approach’ and said that it ‘stands out for its innovative visual design and user-centred development process, especially in the context of the maritime industry.’

The awards will be presented during a gala ceremony at the global technology show IFA in Berlin on 6 September.