Does the user interface design of a marine multi-function terminal meet the operational needs of seafarers in a dynamic sea environment?
Publish Time: 2025-09-24
In modern integrated bridge systems (IBS), the marine multi-function terminal, as a core device for information integration and operation control, has a user interface design that directly impacts navigation safety and crew efficiency. During sea voyages, ships often experience continuous rolling, pitching, and vibration due to waves, making it difficult for crew members to operate accurately. Mis-clicks, missed inputs, or slow reactions can easily occur due to loss of balance or blurred vision. Therefore, whether the terminal's user interface truly aligns with the actual usage habits of seafarers in a dynamic environment is crucial for evaluating its human-machine interface (HMI) performance.An ideal interface design should first ensure clear and legible information. With the ship constantly moving, it's difficult to maintain focus on a specific area. Small icons, fine fonts, or insufficient color contrast can make critical data hard to read. Therefore, function icons, text labels, and status indicators should be large enough and have high contrast to allow quick information capture even during rapid scanning or slight movement. Important parameters such as heading, speed, and water depth should be placed in the visual center and displayed prominently to reduce cognitive load.Secondly, ease of interaction is crucial. While touchscreens are the mainstream input method, precise control of small buttons is difficult during heavy motion, leading to accidental activation of adjacent functions. The interface layout should avoid excessive density of functions, maintaining adequate spacing between critical operation areas to prevent errors. The activation area of buttons and controls should slightly exceed the visual display area to improve tolerance for errors. For frequently used functions, a double-confirmation process or anti-misclick mechanism can prevent accidental commands due to body movement.Considering that crew members often wear gloves, the touchscreen should support non-bare-hand input. The issue of poor responsiveness of capacitive screens with gloves should be addressed through technical optimization or supplemented with physical buttons. In extreme conditions, physical buttons offer irreplaceable reliability; their tactile feedback allows operators to confirm commands without relying on visual verification. Therefore, a multi-function terminal should ideally combine a touchscreen with physical buttons, balancing modern interaction methods with traditional user habits.The logical structure of the interface should also align with the crew's thought processes and emergency response needs. Navigation operations often follow highly standardized procedures; therefore, interface functions should be grouped according to task scenarios, with modules for navigation, communication, alarms, monitoring, etc., presented independently to avoid information overload. In emergencies, crew members need to quickly access specific functions; the system should support one-click access or quick menus to minimize navigation steps. Furthermore, the operation path should be as linear as possible, avoiding complex nested menus to ensure accurate execution even under stressful conditions.Color usage also affects operational efficiency. Excessively bright or harsh colors can cause visual fatigue, especially during night navigation, potentially impairing night vision. The interface color scheme should prioritize soft, low-glare colors; a dark background with cool-toned text should be used for night mode, protecting eyesight and enhancing readability. Alarm messages should use highly distinctive colors and flashing indicators to ensure visibility under all lighting conditions.Furthermore, system response speed and feedback mechanisms are crucial. After an operation command is issued, the system should provide immediate visual or auditory feedback to confirm that the command has been received. Delayed or absent feedback can lead to repeated actions or misjudgments, increasing risk. When multiple tasks are running simultaneously, the system should maintain smooth interface performance, avoiding lag or freezing to ensure uninterrupted operation.In summary, the design of the user interface for a marine multi-function terminal must transcend mere aesthetics and feature-richness. It must deeply consider the actual impact of unique maritime conditions on human-machine interaction. Only by integrating stability, readability, fault tolerance, and intuitive operation can the system truly meet the needs of crew members in a dynamic maritime environment, providing robust technical support for safe navigation.
