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New VR and AR environments have been gradually coming in the world of the pleasure maritime industry implying new possibilities of experiences for costumers. In this perspective, the paper investigates the potential role of digital technology in expanding or shifting the physical boundaries of a cruise vessel or a yacht. Through case studies analysis, the study presents a reflection on the state of the art of virtual, augmented and merged reality environments in the sector, highlighting both the key concept of convergence vs divergence between the physical and digital worlds, and the purposes in technology enhancing. The results point-out how new technologies are breaking down the barriers made up of a simple physical fitting, expanding the boundaries through the use of immersive experiences, even if future scenarios are still open in the cross sectorial purpose of VR, AR and MR technology use.

The domain of materials for design is changing under the influence of an increasingly technological advancement, which brings miniaturization of technology and material augmentation with the use of sensors, actuators, and microprocessors. Examples of new hybrid material systems with dynamic and computational qualities are increasingly emerging. These are called ICS Materials, an acronym that stands for Interactive, Connected, and Smart. While laboratories and designers around the world are experimenting with these new advanced materials, there is the need to forecast their potentials in the design space and to reflect on their future application critically. This paper drafts the main theoretical foundations and depicts the workshop ‘NautICS Materials’ – ICS Materials for the Nautical sector – by its objectives, structure, methodology, tools, and results, in order to present a model to transfer to other sectors or to scale up in larger experimental and applied actions for the integration of smart materials in the design space.

The yacht market is growing with an ongoing positive trend since 2014 with motor yachts constituting the major segment. The growing size of yacht and the technological advances in material and construction techniques enable experimental design practices. As superyachts evolve into megayachts, the yacht design project is involving more and more “soft” features for higher sensory expression, moving away from the past ergonomics based on the use of space. In that framework, yacht design may also be an experimental platform for interactive, connected and smart (ICS) materials.