AUSTAL Australia has announced the establishment of a strategic partnership agreement with Australian company Greenroom Robotics.
The shipbuilder and defence contractor said the commercial partnership follows the successful completion of the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial for the Royal Australian Navy.
The trial saw both platform and navigation autonomy solutions developed for a decommissioned Armidale-class patrol boat.
Austal and Greenroom, a veteran-owned maritime software company, will collaborate further on developing watercraft-based products, services and technologies that could reduce crewing, increase safety, and enable remote and autonomous operation of vessels designed and constructed by Austal.
Austal Australia chief technology officer, Glenn Callow, said the agreement reflects both companies’ growing capabilities and demonstrated commitment to developing industry-leading remote and autonomous technologies.
“The Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial highlighted Austal and Greenroom Robotics’ respective expertise in naval platform integration, and navigation and situational awareness systems technology to demonstrate a reliable, remote and autonomous-capable vessel,” Dr. Callow said.
“This Agreement enables Austal and Greenroom Robotics to continue working together, build upon the valuable lessons learned from PBAT and develop practical remote and autonomous solutions that may be applied to any watercraft designed or built by Austal.
“Further, this Agreement aligns directly with the AUKUS Pillar 2 objective to develop advanced military capabilities, including autonomy and both Austal and Greenroom Robotics are ready to pursue opportunities that we hope one day, will be integral features of future Australian, UK and US naval vessels.”
Harry Hubbert, Greenroom Robotics chief technology officer, said both teams were looking forward to further developing systems that were tested and proven during the patrol boat trial, and may be considered for future optionally crewed naval vessel programs.
“PBAT allowed us to install, test and operate our Greenroom Robotics Advanced Maritime Autonomy software, to successfully navigate the de-commissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat, Sentinel, in a series of remote and autonomous tests off the coast of Western Australia,” Mr Hubbert said.
“GAMA worked seamlessly with Austal’s proven platform management system, MARINELINK, to offer reliable and safe operation of the 57-metre patrol boat, including collision avoidance exercises that demonstrated the capability of the platform.”
Mr Hubbert said his company was excited to be continuing it close collaboration with Austal to further develop fully integrated remote and autonomous technologies, and explore new opportunities for optionally crewed vessels.
