Captain AI, based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, will receive 300,000 euro from investment fund UNIIQ for the further development of the first fully autonomous ships. The money will be used for a trial with a real ship in a test environment in the Port of Rotterdam.
Captain AI is a developer of autonomous operation software and was founded in 2018. According to the company, autonomous ships have the ability to solve two problems: the shortage of qualified seafarers and ensuring safety in the ever busier port by preventing human error.
Letting Algorithms Make Decisions
By using simulation software combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI), the software can be subjected to millions of complicated situations. In this way, the software teaches itself to make the right decision. The first tests are currently being carried out on the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s Floating Lab. This Floating Lab is a former patrol vessel (RPA3), equipped with cameras, sensors and measurement equipment.
Vincent Wegener, CEO Captain AI: ‘UNIIQ‘s investment makes it possible to operate a ship completely autonomously in a test environment in the Port of Rotterdam for the first time. It is important to be able to show that our algorithms make decisions just as well as, if not better than, a human captain.’
First Investment in Port Sector
It is not the first time Captain AI received financial support. The company has already received investments from Vstep and Post & Co, two Rotterdam-based companies active in maritime simulator software and maritime insurance respectively. For UNIIQ this is the first investment in the port sector.
Fund Manager Liduina Hammer: ‘The port of Rotterdam is not only the largest in Europe, but also a leader in the field of innovation. […] With this investment in Captain AI’s team, we hope to be able to contribute to the future of shipping in general and to the future of the port of Rotterdam in particular.’
Picture: Software simulation using the RPA 3 aka the Floating Lab of the Port of Rotterdam (still from the video).
