YPI announced in March that they had partnered up with VR-development company, Bricks & Goggles recently to introduce a technology that would allow yacht owners to walk around their new build projects before they are built. Yacht Harbour caught up with Ingmar Vroege, co-founder of Bricks & Goggles to learn more about this project.
The cooperation between YPI and Bricks & Goggles started at the 25th edition of the Monaco Yacht Show where the development team was showing exhibitors some of its prototypes. Before collaborating with YPI on their central listing, the 105-meter Raptor project, the development company did several projects in the real-estate sector in the Netherlands.
After only 2 months, the company was able to deliver to YPI the software that allows for a walkthrough of the yacht. The application runs on the Oculus Rift, a VR headset that is set to soon be available its in consumer version. Running the application involves connecting the headset to a PC computer with a powerful graphics card and an HDMI 3.0 port. This allows the simulation to run at a stable 75 frames per second, the minimum required according to Ingmar for the brain to interpret as reality.
3 scenes have been developed for the 105m project Raptor, a fly-by of the exterior as well as two interior scenes. Prospective owners are then able to freely move around the yacht through an Xbox joystick to get various views and angles of the yacht. The yacht design itself was done by H2 Yacht Design and McFarlane Ship Design.
Our system allows owners to walk around a complete virtual construction of their yacht both inside and on deck as well as seeing it from the air. You can see and experience how the layouts feel in terms of space and volume as you walk around. Imagine the money, time and potential disappointment that can now be saved thanks to this technology?
Russel Crump, Director of Sales, YPI
The development of this VR application goes in line with YPI's initiative to implement 360-degrees immersive photography which the company says it offers as standard to all of its central agency clients.
As an industry, yachting is sometimes a little slow at integrating the vast array of new digital tools and technology into the way it helps clients. Our work allows us to offer our clients a very real way of experiencing their newbuild projects before they commit to the full investment
Mark Duncan, Commercial & Marketing Director, YPI
Ingmar Vroege, co-founder of Bricks & Goggles explained to us that they are able to develop such VR simulations by using 3D design sketches made by designers which they can then convert to interactive VR applications. Here below is a picture of one of the startup's engineers, Dimitri den Elzen, using the Oculus Rift application.
Developing VR simulations such as these ones is no different from creating games. This simulation runs on the UNITY game engine in fact.
Ingmar Vroege, co-founder, Bricks & Goggles
A version of the VR system can also be directly downloaded as an app on smartphones which allows users to either use special readers to immerse themselves or to simply move around their screens to look around. You can download the application on the Apple Store and Android to take a tour of the Raptor project.
Chimera is a powerful 115 Sport Yacht delivered by iconic British shipyard Sunseeker in 2013. She is a spacious and stylish superyacht, combining a comfortable modern interior with large outdoor living spaces.The yacht has been continuously upgraded by her present owner including a full interior and exterior soft furnishing refit in 2017/18 and a hull repaint in 2019.Immaculately maintained and presented for sale in perfect condition, Chimera is an ideal family yacht and is being sold with an exciting collection of water toys and tenders. A true Mediterranean sports yacht, Chimera pairs a sleek sporty profile with impressive performance capabilities. Built to RINA classification, she is powered by twin 2640.0hp MTU 16V2000M94 diesel engines with a maximum speed of 25 knots and a comfortable cruising speed of 18 knots.An extremely versatile yacht, Chimera has a five-cabin layout and can accommodate up to 10 guests onboard overnight.The yacht priced at € 6,500,000 Ex VAT, is lying in Palma. For more information concerning the sale of the yacht please contact the broker on this page.<iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y1mgJqFFGKk' frameborder='0' allow='accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture' allowfullscreen></iframe>
September 30, 2020
A product of collaboration between naval architect Fulvio De Simoni, the Ferretti Group Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari and the Group’s Engineering Department, Pershing 140 is the brand’s first model built at Ferretti’s Ancona Super Yacht Yard, which specialises in the construction of steel and aluminium super and mega yachts over 40 meters in length.The design of the exteriors, laid out over two decks and a spacious sun deck, confirms the sleek lines that are emblematic of the brand’s sporty and competitive character, combining design innovations with some of the brand’s most iconic details, such as the two lateral wings integrated into the superstructure and then connected at the start of the walkways to the gunwale. Other standout features include the raised cockpit with direct access to the sun deck, the private owner’s area on the main deck, and a beach area that can be extended by opening the three fold-out sides.Unlike the first unit, which was fitted out at the owner’s request with an entertainment room, this unit has a full-beam private master suite with double bed, entered through the owner’s studio and small lounge. The layout is completed by a roomy walk-in wardrobe and a big bathroom.The interior design can be fully customised with the support of the designers at Studio Fulvio De Simoni and the Project Architects on hand at the Ferretti Group Super Yacht Yard. The yacht also features the finest materials and furniture produced by top luxury designers, including longtime Pershing partner Poltrona Frau, Minotti, Artemide, Roche Bobois, Molteni and Fontana Arte.The second Pershing 140 unit will be on show at the Ferretti Group Private Preview, the exclusive annual event held at the Monaco Yacht Club from September 3 to 6 this year, where a group of selected guests and customers will have the chance to admire firsthand an engineering masterpiece that is arousing growing interest among owners around the world. Underscoring the model’s success, the third unit is now under construction at the Ancona Super Yacht Yard and will be launched next year.<iframe width='560' height='315' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/-2LJocGyih8' frameborder='0' allow='accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture' allowfullscreen></iframe>
September 30, 2020
Heesen is delighted to announce that YN 19255 Project Pollux was launched at the facility in Oss in August 2020. This is the second in the newly restyled 55-metre Steel class that features a new layout to emphasize her vast interior volume of approximately 760GT.12 guests can be accommodated in six staterooms, with the 82 sqm owner’s apartment on the main deck forward and the VIP on the bridge deck. The four spacious and luxurious guest suites are located on the lower deck.The sophisticated interior design is by London based Bannenberg & Rowell, a studio that has penned several interior designs for Heesen, including those of the multi-award-winning Galactica Star (now Illusion) and the 47-metre Lady Petra (now Odyssea), built for the founder of the shipyard.For Project Pollux, the British studio worked to the shipyard’s brief, which called for a style that combines bold solutions with acasual appeal. Dark eucalyptus and pale sycamore joinery, with chevron parquet flooring in the main saloon, create the perfect background for the eye-catching bar installation, incorporated into the joinery on the starboard side, as well as the softly radiused panelling. Geometric shapes, natural tones, and tactile finishes used throughout the interiors make Project Pollux a yacht with strong character and wide appeal.“It’s always an exciting milestone in the build process when launch marks the final few months of work – comments Dickie Bannenberg – We’ve tested the Heesen joinery team with plenty of curves and details and they have done a beautiful job. We are greatly looking forward to seeing her finished.”The layout of Project Pollux has been carefully considered. Thanks to the tenders and toys conveniently stored on the foredeck for easy operation and access, the space in the transom has been dedicated to the beach club. Large outdoor areas will allow guests to make the best out of their time onboard. The vast sundeck, of no less than 100 square metres, is equipped with full dining facilities, a generous bar, and a supersize hot tub.Powered by two MTU Tier III compliant diesel engines and, thanks to her slippery Fast Displacement hull, she will have a top speed of 15.5 knots and a remarkable range of 4,500 nautical miles at the cruising speed of 13 knots. This outstanding performance makes project Pollux one of the most efficient yachts in her class. Project Pollux will leave the shipyard to undergo intensive sea trials in the North Sea during the first few weeks of October.
September 30, 2020
Introducing Naseem (2008) - a classically elegant 47m motor yacht by Heesen Yachts, which combines award-winning design by the acknowledged Bannenberg & Rowell Design Studio and unmistakable Dutch prestige. Delivered in 2008 and beautifully maintained by her present owner, the superyacht was fully refurbished in 2018 with a major focus on outdoor activities. NASEEM is equipped with 5 cabins and can accommodate on board up to 12 guests in utmost comfort, as well as a 10-person crew. Among her key features there are a Deck Jacuzzi and a convertible tender garage which can be used as a beach club for swimming and sunbathing or as a launchpad when using water toys. The yacht is powered by twin MTU 8V4000M70 heavy-duty engines and has a comfortable 14-knot cruising speed. With an impressive range of 4,000 nautical miles, she is suitable for Transatlantic cruising. The interior of the yacht is open-planned and is finished with bleached Wenge wood and polished marble flooring. The sense of space and light is enhanced by large windows.A vast salon on the main deck offers an open-plan lounge with an elegant bar for pre-dinner cocktails. It is also equipped with a 60” plasma TV with a full entertainment system and can be transformed into a private cinema for after-hours movie sessions. The spacious formal dining area can comfortably fit up to 10 guests. Naseem’s full-beam master suite is located forward on the main deck and is beautifully finished in cream with a nice contrast of wood veneer shades. The suite offers guests a private lounge and vanity area overlooking the ocean and a bathroom finished in marble.Exterior-wise the yacht offers multiple lounges, dining spaces and a forward-facing spa pool - perfect for onboard socialising, enjoying panoramic ocean views and relaxing in the sunshine.
September 21, 2020
The classic Benetti yacht Hidalgo got seriously damaged by the fire on September 15 in morning. The yacht fire was spotted at the Muggiano shipyard close to La Spezia in the region of Liguria where Hidalgo was hauled out for refit works.
“A dense column of smoke” was created by the fire and was “visible from a considerable distance”, as the local news portal "Liguria Nautica" reported. Main and upper deck of the vessel got severely damaged, however the fireguards were on time to prevent the fire from spreading elsewhere, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire still remains unclear. Designed for long-distance cruising, the yacht was delivered in Viareggio in 1968 and got last refitted in 2012. The vessel was previously known as Mirabella. (Photos: Giusppe Orru)
September 19, 2020