Maritime Autonomy: Safety, Scalability, and the Crew Crisis

Send us Fan MailMaritime autonomy operates on a three-dimensional spectrum of self-driving capability, remote operation, and manning levels, representing a crucial solution to the maritime industry's pressing challenges of crew shortages and decarbonization requirements.• Øyvind Smogeli transitioned from assurance and verification of complex systems at DNV to developing maritime autonomy technology at ZEABUZ• ZEABUZ focuses on three key principles: scalability, modularity, and trustworthiness in theiritsnomy solutions• Simulation-based testing is essential as startups cannot afford millions of nautical miles of real-world testing• The maritime market for autonomy is still immature but maturing quickly, with different segments at varying stages of readiness• Four key drivers for autonomy: crew shortages, complex vessel technologies requiring new skills, dual-use defence applications, and urban waterway mobility• Zeebus pivoted from building autonomous ferries to becoming a pure autonomy technology provider• Projects like MF Estelle in Stockholm demonstrate the practical application of autonomous ferry technology in urban settings• Hardware quality and design remain crucial challenges that even the best software cannot overcome• Regulatory frameworks are still developing, with vessels currently operating with conventional manning while awaiting broader regulatory acceptanceJoin us again for the next episode of the Autonomy Journals brought to you by SAMS, the Norwegian Innovation Cluster for Autonomous Mobility and Transport Systems. We'd love to hear from you about what you'd like to learn about autonomy, because in Norway, we do it.The Autonomy Journals showcase leading voices, sharing insights, learnings, lessons and perhaps some confessions from the Autonomy Journey in transport and mobility.Subscribe to the Autonomy Journals and join us next time as we continue exploring how Norway leads the way in autonomous mobility solutions. Because in Norway, we do it.SAMS is a private, non-profit innovation cluster for sustainable, autonomous mobility solutions and the host of the podcast.https://www.sams-norway.no/