IMPACT
Through investment in this InnovationLab the participating SMEs aim to achieve an improvement of their services. The InnovationLab will also provide more fundamental technological building blocks. With these components, the maritime industry will become more accessible to AI developers and can also benefit from future developments. AI-technologies can be easily integrated with maritime design or operational practices. In this way, there is a lasting impact on the entire sector.
SHORT-CYCLE INNOVATION TRACKS
The innovation tracks will deliver solutions to specific use cases, but also provide essential technology building blocks. These components can serve a wide variety of applications and in return the innovation tracks provide further development or validation. Subsequent innovation tracks can build on validated components, improve their applicability, and advance the application themes of clean shipping, safe operation and sustainable use of the seas.
The first two innovation tracks will address improved safety and workability for support of offshore wind farms and emission assessment under influence of wave loads and fouling (hull surface deposits). The first track will result in tooling that will help to predict workability based on expected weather conditions. By modelling the risk of sea sickness for crews on transport vessels, better maintenance procedures for offshore wind farms can be organized, both by planning of maintenance interventions as well as by supporting these vessels during transit and in operation. In the second track, the degradation of fuel efficiency under influence of weather conditions and fouling is modelled. This will provide basic tooling that can help in optimization of hull maintenance. In a future track, this can also support the development of routing algorithms. A number of possible future innovation tracks result in solutions for subsea inspection, control of subsea systems and wind propulsion systems, optimization of designs and autonomous sailing.
TRACK PROPOSALS
Any (Dutch) company can form a track consortium and apply with a development plan. The Innovation counsel of NML determines which tracks get awarded.
Both contributions to technical developments of components and contributions to the application themes are considered important criteria when awarding innovation track.
LONG-TERM IMPACT
This program will result in relevant, cutting-edge, fit-for-purpose technologies that directly support participants’ innovations and keeps providing opportunities for the maritime industry as a whole. The consortium focusses on use cases that come from urgent needs in the maritime industry. These use cases, provide a contribution to the long-term deliverable and provide viable investment opportunities, underlining current and future relevance. Technological development is carried by the knowledge institutions and specialized partners. Other partners provide validation and verification, which ensures that deliverables are fit for purpose.