The joint initiative aims at expediting the implementation of autonomous ships and related technologies. Groke Technologies will be responsible for the situation awareness solution in the initiative.

As a part of an initiative to expedite implementation of autonomous ships, Groke Technologies is participating into R&D initiative led by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” LINE” below), Japan radio Co.,Ltd.(“JRC” below) and YDK Technologies Co., Ltd. (“YDK” below). Aim of the initiative is to to develop an integrated navigation support system that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) and other cutting-edge technologies for assisting maneuvering in making safety maneuvering decisions.

This joint R&D project aims to develop a system that will prevent serious maritime accidents such as ship collisions and groundings and that will lead to autonomous ship operations by combining “K” Line’s maneuvering knowledge and experience in safe ship operation over many years, JRC marine equipment’s knowledge and advanced radio technology developed, YDK’s steering and propulsion control technology and Groke’s extensive expertise in maritime sensor fusion, machine vision and artificial intelligence solutions.

This system is expected to meet Degree 1 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) standard for development stages of autonomous ships and is an initiative to follow the global trend of the development of autonomous ships and further expedite the project.

An overview of this initiative and the joint R&D structure is shown below. The aim is to develop a comprehensive system that will further improve the safety of ship operations by utilizing the knowledge and technologies of the three partners in each process from situation awareness by the seafarer to maneuvering control of the ship, combined with the most advanced technologies provided by Groke Technologies, Fujitsu Limited, and Forum8 Co..

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Starting from April 2023, demonstration at sea will be conducted on various ship types and routes, both domestic and international, with the aim of full-scale commercial implementation in the future. Project partners will continue to develop the system to further improve the safety of ship operations by providing more advanced support and reducing the burden on seafarers and to assist in implementing autonomous ships.

Press release published on the 4th of November 2021