Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has announced three new innovation projects, two of which will be led by Halifax-based Marine Thinking.
The three ventures are valued at over $9 million and include a $3.8-million AI-powered vessel automation toolkit project. The collaborative effort will improve fishing operations, increase competitiveness in ocean artificial intelligence and enhance existing infrastructure.
Marine Thinking is partnering with ACEL Power in Vancouver and Dalhousie University on the project, which aims to deliver an AI-powered vessel automation toolkit that will transform existing vessels into smart vessels that have autopilot capabilities and improved operational efficiency, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster stated in a news release.
Smart vessel applications will include enhanced catch-monitoring capabilities through autonomous navigation and fishing route planning, and the autonomous location detection of ghost gear in deep water.
Developing the toolkit and cross-platform control software will allow Marine Thinking and its partners to improve data visualization and remote control onboard vessels. The objective is to enhance maritime safety and support the health and prosperity of Canada’s oceans and coastal communities while also contributing to the long-term viability of Canada’s fisheries.
Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, said the country has the opportunity to be a global leader in marine transport.
“With advancing solutions for artificial intelligence and automation in vessel operations, Canada has an opportunity to lead the way in the future of marine transport,” MacDonald said in the release.
“Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is excited to announce the $3.8-million AI-powered vessel automation toolkit project, which will provide a practical, smart solution for existing vessels and increase critical monitoring capabilities.”
The total project value is $3,873,528, with Ocean Supercluster investing $1,548,990 and the balance of the funding coming from project partners.
Marine Thinking, in partnership with Innvotek and Innovate UK, both in London, England, was also awarded a $940,000 remote robotic underwater inspection project by Ocean Supercluster.
The goal is to increase the speed and accuracy of ship hull inspections and reduce the risks associated with diving crews, benefitting the shipping industry in Canada, the U.K. and globally.
The project will allow Marine Thinking to develop a launch and recovery system for Innvotek’s amphibian “underwater inspection in lieu of drydocking” (UWILD) solution. It offers a safe, technology-driven and cost-effective robotic solution for underwater inspections, crucial for the thousands of vessels needing them.
Due to its weight and various payload options, the amphibian UWILD requires deployment from a launch and recovery system. Marine Thinking’s system will feature remote control capabilities and ensure efficient and safe deployment and retrieval of the amphibian robot.
The benefits offered by the amphibian UWILD are hull cleaning and inspections that cover large areas without fatigue, operating above and below the waterline, and being able to access confined spaces that are difficult for divers, allowing pinpoint location of defects and giving more data to perform accurate predictive maintenance analysis.
“Working with international partners to develop robotics integration with vessel maintenance gives Canada the opportunity to grow our position as a global leader in ocean technology and as an ocean nation,” MacDonald said.
Author: George Myrer
