Robotics is gaining popularity in industries worldwide because it holds the key to future medicine, warfare, a better economy, and well-being
Fremont, CA: The maritime industry is not immune to robotization. With the introduction of various new robotic technologies, the day will not be far off when robots will perform various essential tasks both at sea and on land.
Let's take a look at some of the shipping industry's robotic technologies that have recently made headlines.
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Firefighter Robots: The Shipboard Autonomous Fire Fighting Robot (SAFFiR), developed by the Naval Research Laboratory in collaboration with Virginia Tech and other US universities, is an autonomous humanoid robot capable of detecting and suppressing shipboard fires while working alongside human firefighters using advanced sensors. The intention is not to replace humans in firefighting but rather to assist them in firefighting operations on ships.
Hull Cleaning Robots: As public awareness of the importance of green shipping grows, technologies that improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon-dioxide emissions are in high demand. Hull roughness management using hull cleaning robots can be highly beneficial.
The accumulation of marine organisms on a ship's hull, also known as bio-fouling, reduces the ship's speed by up to 10 percent. It is estimated that a vessel may have to use up to 40 percent more fuel to compensate for the drag. Toxic coatings are sometimes used to prevent biofouling, but they are harmful to marine ecology. To address this issue, SeaRobotics created "HullBUG," an innovative hull cleaning robot funded by the US Navy Office of Naval Research (ONR).
Automated Ship Inspectors
Inspection of large cargo ships for cracks, corrosion, or wear to ensure compliance with rising safety standards has traditionally been a time-consuming task for surveyors. Furthermore, they must put their safety at risk by climbing every nook and cranny of the vessel. Ship inspection robots are a robotic technology that can aid in this process while saving owners time and money while improving the accuracy and quality of these critical inspections.
Anti-Piracy Robots: Recon Robotics' Recon Scout throwbot is an anti-piracy robot that will combat maritime piracy.
Robotic Vessels: Rolls-Royce recently unveiled unmanned remote-controlled cargo ships designs. Though some experts are skeptical that the concept will become a reality, the manufacturer claims it will do so within a decade using modern technologies.
