[Edaily Reporter Kim Hyung-il ] Industrial extended reality (XR) solutions company VIRNECT Co., Ltd.(438700)announced on the 10th that its “VisionX Marine” AI and augmented reality (AR) smart glasses—designed to support work in confined spaces—have been selected as an honoree in three categories at the 2027 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the U.S.

The award categories are Artificial Intelligence (AI), XR and Spatial Computing, and Human Security Support Products. VisionX Marine is a product developed by VIRNECT Co., Ltd. based on its “VisionX” smart glasses—which won the CES 2025 Innovation Award—and tailored for confined space work environments, such as ship inspections and maintenance, where the use of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) is required.

A key feature is that it implements smart glass functionality by replacing the front shield and top frame of a standard commercial self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) mask. This allows workers to view information necessary for inspection and maintenance within their field of view even while wearing the SCBA.

The AI vision feature analyzes instruments and equipment captured by the camera and highlights areas requiring attention on the screen. Workers can also ask the AI chatbot for maintenance procedures via voice commands. In environments with communication capabilities, the “Remote” collaboration solution allows workers to share their field of view with external experts in real time. Experts onshore can use AR to mark inspection points on the worker’s screen and guide them through necessary actions.

Safety-related features are also included. Operators can check the remaining air supply in their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and in emergency situations, indoor positioning technology displays an arrow indicating the evacuation direction within the operator’s field of view. Certain functions—such as voice recognition, AI video analysis, and evacuation direction guidance—are processed on the device itself, allowing them to be used even when the internet connection is lost.

VIRNECT Co., Ltd. is promoting the field application and commercialization of the product in conjunction with the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ “Support Program for the Rapid Commercialization of AI Applications in the Marine and Fisheries Sector.” The company plans to showcase VisionX Marine at its CES 2027 booth and explore business opportunities centered on ship inspection and maintenance, as well as the shipbuilding and marine industries.

The company is also expanding the scope of application. It is exploring the potential for applying the technology not only to high-risk industrial sites, such as chemical and petrochemical plants and energy and power generation facilities, but also to the defense and chemical, biological, and radiological (CBR) response sectors.

VIRNECT Co., Ltd. stated, “VisionX Marine is a product that combines AI and AR technologies to enhance worker safety and on-site response capabilities,” adding, “Starting with the shipbuilding and marine industries, we will expand the potential applications of this technology to include chemical and energy plants, as well as specialized fields such as national defense and CBRN response.”