(BOSTON) — Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics has signed a contract with A.P. Moller-Maersk of Copenhagen, Denmark, to trial its perception and situational awareness technology aboard one of the company’s newbuild Winter Palace ice-class containerships. The deal is significant not only to Sea Machines and Maersk, but also to the larger maritime industry as the installation marks first time computer vision, light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and perception software will be utilized aboard a container vessel to augment and upgrade transit operations.
The solution, chosen by Maersk, is the latest in Sea Machines’ portfolio and uses artificial intelligence (AI) to improve at-sea situational awareness, object identification and tracking capabilities. Similar to advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) commonly found in automobiles – which alert drivers of roadway hazards and prevent accidents – Sea Machines’ system uses advanced sensors to collect a continuous stream of information from a vessel’s environmental surroundings, identify and track potential conflicts, and efficiently display the knowledge in the wheelhouse. The system facilitates safer and more efficient maritime operations.
Maersk’s goal of the collaboration is to prove the technology aids seafarers, can remove the line of sight restriction from the bridge, and provides the infrastructure for a future autonomous collision avoidance system.
Sea Machines recently disclosed the opening of a second location in Hamburg, Germany. The new center of excellence is now supporting the company’s growing demand for engineering, sales and marketing across Europe. The company is also managing a pilot program with Tuco Marine of Denmark to test the autonomous technology aboard ProZero workboats.
Sea Machines introduced the world’s first industrial-grade control system to provide autonomous and remote vessel control for workboats and other commercial marine vessels. The SM300 serves operations looking for level 3 operator-in-the loop autonomy in survey, spill response, dredging and security/surveillance. Sea Machines is also actively developing advanced perception technology and navigation assistance technology for a range of vessel types.
For more information, visit www.sea-machines.com.
