Development of Waterway Transport with Automation and AI (RoboSea)

Environmental aspects and responsibility have a central role in transition towards greener digitalized future in the Europe. Marine transport has a vital role in this transition, especially with automation and electrification of the transport. Thus, RoboSea project develops together with companies the autonomous marine test platform developed at Turku University of Applied Sciences.

The applied research on remotely controlled, automized and autonomous systems is globally important area of utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. Technical solutions utilizing AI and machine learning are necessary for the automation of marine transport and logistics. When these solutions are developed, they require extensive testing and evaluation in realistic operating environments. This project develops and pilots together with companies the autonomous marine test platform developed at Turku University of Applied Sciences. The test platform consists of a test vessel and remote-control center that can be used to remotely control the vessel. Piloting of technologies and use cases with the companies allows the companies to evaluate the suitability and potential benefits of the technologies for their business. Pilots also help the companies to identify technical challenges, security issues and potential changes to their operational models that require to be solved before wider introduction.