We've been plotting (haha) a new piece of functionality for the contacts board - a course plot display which would show the position of contacts on the board relative to the ship (as a simple schematic map).
The idea came out of the hunt sims I've been doing where I took to sketching out contacts on my tablet to get a feel for the course they might have been describing.
Installation of a simulation room is underway which will allow more intensive training and simulation exercises in a bridge layout with up to five stations, as well as the opportunity to try out different physical console configurations and layouts.
I've just seen an article which showcases some very cool console interfaces designed for the new sci-fi show Nightflyers. Of course being sci-fi these designs don't actually have to work, just hint at underlying functionality and otherwise look cool. By comparison, the console designs for Endeavour have to actually work as well as look good.
The EMDAR Contact Board module allows management of EMDAR contacts. A contact is an untracked EM emissions pattern thought to indicate a Tactically Significant Maneuvering Object (TSMO).
We're getting a first look at what Endeavour's control consoles will look like with the release of design notes for a "monitoring visualisation" (or widget) called the Radial Monitor. It's just one of a series that are in development, but gives an indication of the design direction. You can take a look at this blog entry.
Being able to assess the status of a system at a glance is vital for managing the complex systems aboard Endeavour. While most core functions are automated, there’s still a lot for the crew to keep an eye on.
