Australian Maritime College’s AMC Search signs MASS partnering agreement with Robosys
Robosys Automation and AMC Search, part of the Australian Maritime College, have signed a three-year partnering agreement to drive pioneering MASS training worldwide.
Press Release
Robosys Automation, AI maritime autonomy and smartshipping specialist, and the Australian Maritime College’s AMC Search, have officially announced a three-year partnering agreement to enhance MASS certified training, to drive pioneering remote operator training on a worldwide scale.
The announcement was made at the inaugural International Conference on Maritime Autonomy and Remote Navigation (ICMAR Nav) conference held 27-30 Nov 2023 at the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College, AMC Search, Launceston, Australia.
Through extensive maritime autonomous surface ships (MASS) trials spanning crewed and uncrewed scenarios, UK headquartered Robosys Automation and Australia’s AMC Search have worked together to support mariners with the latest technology, training and procedures for combined human and AI operations.
At Ocean Business 2023, Nick Bonser of AMC Search, together with Nigel Lee of Robosys, presented a joint session regarding these MASS trials, entitled ‘Understanding Human and AI Collaboration for future shipping’. The trials featured Robosys’ revolutionary AI-driven maritime autonomy software suite, VOYAGER AI, which enables ‘traditional’ crewed vessels and USVs to become fully remote controllable from a mothership or shoreside, with added features such as collision avoidance and decision aids.
The MASS trials were undertaken from AMC Search’s cutting-edge Maritime Simulation Center, located in Launceston in Tasmania, with scenarios conducted in isolation, and as a mixed human-machine environment, spanning numerous challenging and varied shipping situations.
The International Conference on Maritime Autonomy & Remote Navigation’s (ICMAR NAV) theme was ‘Driving Forward Autonomy in the Maritime Industry’. Hosted by AMC Search, the event showcased the latest advances in autonomous navigation technology, round table meetings, and conference sessions delivered by industry experts.
In ICMAR NAV’s Autonomous Navigation Systems session, Nigel Lee discussed ‘Developing a COLREGs Compliant Collision Avoidance System’. This highlighted how Robosys and AMC Search conducted numerous projects observing how humans and machines react in accordance with the IMO Convention on International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS). Nigel Lee’s session concluded with highlighting the importance of using simulations when developing the skills required to operate MASS vessels, through demonstrating a direct comparison of how humans and AI react in the same situation.
AMC Search selected Robosys’ VOYAGER AI software for the delivery of its training programs because it provides simple, flexible mission and user-defined operational settings for both manned and unmanned systems.
AMC Search’s Simulation & Autonomous Maritime Instructor, Nick Bonser, commented: “We are delighted to have partnered with Robosys Automation because of their deep expertise in this area. They are dynamic and agile, with the ability to support our cutting-edge simulator operations and MASS operator training syllabus, along with delivering Collision Avoidance Decision Aid (CADA) capability for our students.”
Robosys’ CSO, Nigel Lee, commented: “The team at Robosys looks forward to building upon this mutually beneficial long-term partnership with AMC Search, where we can jointly improve the safety and efficiency of sustainable and smart future maritime operations.”
Discover more at www.amcsearch.com.au and www.robosysautomation.com.
– ENDS –
NOTES TO EDITORS
ABOUT ROBOSYS AUTOMATION
Since 2002, Robosys Automation has been regarded as the world leader in maritime autonomy and smart shipping applications, delivering pioneering and intelligent navigation solutions to crewed, lean-crewed and autonomous vessels, USVs and ships, from 3m to 320m.
Headquartered at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre with offices in India, USA and Canada, Robosys’ solutions are proven and boast full IMO Degree 4 Maritime Autonomy capability.
Robosys has two decades of experience in developing and supporting AI maritime autonomy and smart shipping solutions with its platform, propulsion, and sensor-agnostic software; for both operational purposes, and for training simulation in synthetic environments.
Robosys’ solutions include its ground-breaking VOYAGER AI software which transforms any motorised vessel into a fully autonomous Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV); which features independent navigation, collision and obstacle avoidance, anti-grounding and dynamic route optimisation.
In addition, Robosys offers numerous options to complement VOYAGER AI, including COLREGS-compliant Collision Avoidance Decision Aid (CADA) applications, to enhance the safety in the support of crewed and lean crewed watchkeepers.
Other options include Voyager Platform Control providing Remote Steering, Engine Control and Propulsion Control, together with Voyager Platform Management, providing Alarm Monitoring, together with Switch & Relay Controlling.
Applications are used in vessels undertaking surveying, pilotage, defence, bulk, short sea, search and rescue, and research operations.
Robosys’ international partners include the Maritime Research Institute of Netherlands (MARIN), Australian Maritime College (AMC Search), and the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre (MRIC) at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC).
Find out more about Robosys Automation at www.robosysautomation.com.
ABOUT ROBOSYS’ VOYAGER AI
Following Robosys Automation’s simulated and worldwide live testing spanning from Canada though the USA, UK, Europe, ME, India to Australia, from its UK headquarters at the UK’s National Oceanography Centre, combined with customer data, Voyager AI boasts improved collision avoidance, and enhanced unique twinning to vessel operational characteristics and mission profile.
New and improved collision avoidance algorithms have been devised through extensive utilisation of simulation software combined with real-time challenges. Multi-vessel avoidance manoeuvre scenarios have also been tested and further enhanced, with Voyager AI featuring improved Explainable collision regulations’ (COLREGs) compliance.
In addition, the Loss of Communications (LoC) function is now a licensable feature of Voyager AI, providing peace of mind to operators by enabling mission continuity in the event of a breakdown in communications.
Furthermore, improved vessel track and dynamic navigational path changes are made in accordance with a vessels’ specific manoeuvrability and its other performance characteristics, which results in a manoeuvring path matched to that particular vessel’s characteristics.
Navigational paths are now set and validated according to user-selected chart parameters, Voyager AI can now be swiftly tuned according to the specific vessel operating area, such as ocean, coastal, or inshore waters.
An exciting addition to Voyager AI has been the addition of an integrated Remote & Autonomous Platform Alarm, Monitoring & Control System (AMCS) tailored by Robosys to provide full support for USVs.
Voyager AI now also integrates and controls multiple ship’s hardware, including vessel systems, switches, relays and monitoring systems and alarms. This can range from deck and hull sensors, through to creating an auto-response to initiate an automatic fire extinguisher thanks to tailored pre-set values.
Key to platform integration is the alignment of payload control with vessel control systems and thus Voyager’s AMCS now integrates payload control and the vessel’s performance for seamless USV maritime operations which is specifically aligned to best suit the mission.
ABOUT AMC SEARCH
AMC Search is the training and consultancy division of the Australian Maritime College that provides Autonomous Maritime Systems training and engineering services to the merchant and defence industries.
For further information visit www.amcsearch.com.au.
MEDIA USE
Please credit the primary image to ©www.amcsearch.com.au and the other images to©www.robosysautomation.com.
PRESS CONTACT
For further information and to arrange an interview please contact Hannah Kent Colls at WATERMARK, email hannah@watermark360.com or phone +44(0)7876 541876.