Let us help you determine the viability of an envisioned path, plan, or idea.
We can answer the questions:
Is it technically feasible?
Is it economically justifiable?
Will it work the way we hope?
What will it end up looking like?
We will explore the relevant technical and financial environments and provide the findings, results, and insights that will provide you with the solid base for your decision making.
Next Generation Shipboard Photo Gallery
Conducted an extremely elaborate “proof of concept” study (prior to executive commitment) of a concessionaire’s new technical process and proposed guest experience for offering professional photographs (taken by ship’s staff photographers) to guests aboard the world’s largest cruise ship (under design at the time). The concessionaire's proposed approach was a radical departure from the traditional method; an extremely critical eye was needed if the executives were to be convinced.
Determined if concessionaire’s plans for their new facial recognition software, filing of pre-printed photographs, guest access/selection process, and sales process would actually function as envisioned and keep pace with expected sales volume (thus meeting client’s strict expectations).
Two different studies were created and executed; each phase was designed to gain executive endorsement.
The first involved extensive and detailed work that lead to findings that heavily influenced the layout/design of the space, including the filing folders and “wayfinding” that were key to effective delivery to guests.
The second study was possible only after the newly-designed Photo Gallery was actually built (on the ship). An extremely detailed “stress test scenario,” involving over 1,200 crew members, each with their own specific assignment/role, was designed and executed.
"Shipboard Stress Test" - Video
Our intricate vetting, intimate involvement in the design process, and our ultimate endorsement of the concessionaire’s proposed approach allowed the Chairman/CEO and Senior Management to proceed with confidence.
TSA "Pre-Check" Process
Analyzed “pilot program” approach for “next generation” TSA Pre-Check Security process.
Identified/illustrated flaws and security exposure points, along with opportunities for improved “people flow.”
Proposed key changes in existing protocols to ensure potentially high-risk travelers would be more easily identified and if necessary, detained.
Presented to the Chief Risk Officer at TSA headquarters in Pentagon City (Arlington), VA.
"Turn-Around (Boarding)" Day -
The World's Largest Cruise Ship
Study (during the initial ship design/development phase) all of the “turnaround day” logistical processes anticipated for the ship (e.g., unloading/loading customer luggage, garbage offloading, “stores” loading for gift shops and provisioning), and determine the estimated sailing time based on these activities.
The study yielded not only the “answer,” but also lead to the development of several processes/solutions that would improve efficiency on not only the studied ship class, but also on other ship classes across additional cruise brands.
Among the new approaches developed and implemented:
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New guest luggage tag design that improved luggage sorting/delivery efficiency (speed) from curb-to-stateroom door by more than 60%
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Special elevator program modes, including those to improve luggage handling and stores loading
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2-way luggage cart conveyor system that increased speed and efficiency, and provided redundancy in the event of a failure
These solutions, and others, have become “the standard” moving forward with new ship builds beyond those of the initial client.
Robots - Cruise Ship Environment
Cruise ships are, needless to say, incredibly complex and compact environments. Even though many design/operational aspects have evolved over the years, some of the basics remain virtually unchanged. There is still a tremendous amount of manual (human) transport occurring (e.g., food provisions, bar supplies, clean linens, dirty linens, trash, recyclables).
Explored potential for replacing much of the “transported-by-humans” tasks with a system of self-guided robots.
Investigated implications for:
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Room service
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Bar operations
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Maintenance work
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Inventory operations
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Food provisions, production, and service
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Housekeeping services
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Laundry operations
Devised communication and interaction capability with the back-of-house and front-of-house elevator systems.
Devised solutions to comply with SOLAS, DNV, and other agency regulations.
Analyzed implications for crew par reduction (e.g., salaries, crew cabins).
Explored differing levels of commitment/investment:
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Basic installation/complexity
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Advanced installation/complexity
Explored opportunities for installation/functionality within both the new-build and existing-ship environments.
"Tendering" Cruise Ship Passengers Ashore
Tendering, in the cruise business, is the transporting of passengers from the ship to the shore (and the return trip) via small boats.
Over the years we’ve been involved in many tendering studies and projects, focusing on passenger flow within the cruise ship itself [flow from the various locations within the ship to (and through) the gangway areas], the passenger flow onto (and within) the tender boats, and finally the flow as passengers step off the tender boats once the destination has been reached.
Specific focus on the minimum, maximum, and average passenger's waiting times, along with the general passenger experience [e.g., the longest time that any one passenger will “BUaD” (bob up and down) while on board a tender boat.]
Custom 2-door Tenders - Anthem of the Seas
Many design-impacting solutions have been implemented. For example, custom, first-in-the-industry, 2-door tender boats, enhanced internal security/queuing areas and processes, specific loading/unloading procedures, along with multimillion dollar installations of additional tender boats to increase the “tender boat seats/guest ratio.”
Schindler's "PORT" Elevator Control System
Cruise client was skeptical about their elevator manufacturer’s proposal to install a cutting-edge, high-tech “destination control” operating system for their new ship’s passenger and crew elevators.
The study:
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Designed, coordinated, and supervised an extensive 2-week temporary conversion of the existing hardware/software to the proposed system aboard an operating cruise ship
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Conducted and analyzed a series of observations regarding passenger reactions and behavior
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Based on the findings, stipulated the required software, hardware, and design modifications needed for confident installation
The Cruise Ship "Blimp"
Proof of concept/further design for adding a “tethered aerostat (blimp)” guest ride on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas.
Conducted feasibility/impact studies for all relevant factors (e.g., safety, environmental, operational).
Took a “test ride” with RCCL’s Chairman/CEO during the ship’s sea trial.
The testing eventually lead to the conclusion that the concept, as envisioned, was unviable. However, a loosely interpreted “next generation” version was pursued, and is in place today (known as North Star) on Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas.
Study of Global Weather on Cruise Ship Itineraries
Determined the need for an additional enclosed outdoor deck area for new ship builds on potential itineraries.
Utilized readily-available weather data for the relevant ports, and acquired real-world weather-buoy data for the relevant ship routes.
Constructed/presented a dynamic computer model illustrating the applicable “viable outdoor deck utilization periods” for all conditions/itineraries (based on user-selectable “comfort temperature” and wind speed).
Three different itineraries (each including year-round and month-by-month implications) were included in the interactive model.
Applications for RFID Technology
Studied technical requirements of, and developed applicable opportunities for using, RFID technology on a “next generation” class of cruise ships.
Packaged and presented options to Senior Executives in such a way that they could learn about RFID, understand their options, and make an informed, multi-million-dollar way-forward decision, all during the same meeting.
Portion-Controlled Meat
Studied the implications for a client to transition from on-site butchering of bulk beef to frozen, portion-controlled beef steaks (filet mignon and New York strip).
Many aspects were considered, including “usable scraps," disposal implications of the additional packaging materials, and “loss to thawing.”
What was initially thought to be a cost-effective alternative would have actually increased the client’s cost by nearly $6M per year, and reduced the quality of beef served.
