Virginia Digital Maritime Center – Member Spotlight

The Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) leverages expertise from Old Dominion University, industry, and state and federal agencies to advance the maritime workforce and drive economic growth in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Utilizing applied research and cutting-edge technologies, VDMC mitigates workforce and supply chain gaps across the defense industrial base (DIB), with a focus on Naval shipbuilding, repair, and modernization. 

VDMC’s focus on multi-modal learning engineering, digital analysis, and technology insertion supports the Department of Defense (DOD) mission through the development of AI-enabled and extended reality-enhanced training systems, integration of advanced manufacturing into shipbuilding and repair supply chains, and increased awareness of and opportunities for entry-level marine skilled trades training. 

Through collaborative partnerships with the DOD, academia, and the DIB, VDMC delivers optimized training systems which collect, organize, curate, and share content with the right learner at the right time. VDMC’s training systems are designed to transition legacy programs to modern developmental frameworks, implementing AI and machine learning. 

With the support of federal agencies such as the Departments of Labor and Energy, VDMC is working to educate small and medium-sized manufacturers on the benefits of transitioning to smart manufacturing. Using digital twins, VDMC models and simulates complex production processes, optimizing the information available to push the possible and improve efficiencies.  

VDMC develops online training resources focused on increasing K-12 awareness of advanced manufacturing technologies and related DIB employment opportunities. VDMC’s team of learning engineers, along with curriculum and software developers, works closely with industry and educators to bring engaging digital training resources paired with hands-on learning. VDMC’s engineering design challenges allow students to apply advanced technology solutions to real-world engineering problems. 

To learn more about VDMC, please visit www.digitalmaritime.org