Finnish AR and VR tools to support road, maritime safety

Basemark intends to use its funding to secure production deals with original equipment manufacturers in Europe and the US, as well as fuel its expansion to China, Japan and South Korea.

Led by ETF Partners, the funding round also piqued the interest of Business Finland, Finnish Industry Investment (Tesi) and the European Innovation Council.

Rocksolid AR, the computer vision system developed by Basemark, brings together an augmented reality development studio and software development kit to enable original equipment manufacturers to develop augmented reality solutions for heads-up displays and other in-vehicle screens. Such solutions can improve road safety by projecting relevant real-time content, such as alerts and contextual guidance, onto the windscreen, thus enabling motorists to keep their eyes constantly on the road.

Most solutions, though, struggle to anchor the content to the real world, according to CEO Tero Sarkkinen.

“Rocksolid AR includes advanced localisation and motion-tracking mechanisms to ensure AR content is always anchored correctly to real-world objects and appears in the correct position in the driver’s field of view, regardless of motion or vibration,” he said.

The system also features built-in algorithms that combat latency and is capable of detecting safety-critical elements in the environment and avoid blocking them with content.

“Displaying the right information at the right time and place for the driver is the most difficult part of developing immersive automotive AR experiences,” added Sarkkinen. “Rocksolid AR handles all the heavy AI lifting for positioning content in the most immersive way, enabling OEMs to focus on brand differentiation.”

Basemark in 2022 revealed that it has contributed to the augmented reality applications of BMW iX. Its clientele also includes other well known automotive makers from Germany, France, Italy, the UK and the US.

Meanwhile, Varjo and Denmark's FORCE Technology have signed a framework agreement on delivering virtual and extended reality solutions to companies in the global maritime space. The aim of the collaboration is to launch a compact and highly portable immersive training solution that reduces both the costs and logistical challenges associated with maritime training.

It leverages the maritime simulation experience of FORCE Technology and mixed-reality technology of Varjo. Jan Michelsen, head of simulation, ports, training and human factors at FORCE Technology, said the combination is a “game-changer” that offers unprecedented cost savings and flexibility.

“Our aim is to bring effective training closer to the point of need, from classrooms to onboard ships,” he summed up.

The maritime industry is faced with a shortage of skilled seafarers, creating a pressing need for training solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and easy to deploy.

“FORCE Technology’s immersive simulator will break down the old barriers for training, offering a more engaging and realistic simulation experience that brings about significant operational benefits for the industry,” envisioned Seppo Aaltonen, chief commercial officer at Varjo.