Use of Speech Communication as an Interface of a Navigation Support System for Coastal Ships

Abstract An advanced navigation support system (ANSS) was developed aiming at one-man bridge operation (OMBO). The ANSS designed based on active sailor's demands collected through a series of simulator experiments and interviews. The ANSS has many automatic navigation functions such as a TRACK PILOT, etc. All functions for aMBO are controlled with speech communication. The first ship, which is equipped with the ANSS, started her service from September 1997. Through the observation of actual use of the ANSS, the effectiveness of the ANSS and its man machine interface are discussed. In this paper, after a brief introduction of our research program, the design principles and functions of the ANSS are described. Then the functions of man-machine interface using speech communication and its implementation are described. Finally, we discuss the effectiveness of the ANSS and its man machine interface through the observation of actual use and the subjective evaluation of active users.