Austal, Greenroom Robotics strike new commercial partnership

Shipbuilder Austal Australia and maritime software developer Greenroom Robotics have announced a strategic commercial partnership, following their successful Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN.)

According to a statement from Greenroom on Wednesday, the new strategic partnership agreement will see the pair “collaborate further on developing watercraft-based products, services and technologies” which could lead to remote and autonomous operation of Austal Australia-built boats, as well as benefits around crewing and safety.

PBAT involved the use of Greenroom’s control software, known as GAMA (Greenroom Robotics Advanced Maritime Autonomy), on a decommissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat dubbed Sentinel (pictured.)

It announced successful completion of the Sea Acceptance Trials in April this year, carried out with Austal, Trusted Autonomous Systems, and the RAN’s Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) Branch.

Greenroom said the new partnership extends the relationship with Austal developed over PBAT.

Austal Australia’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr Glenn Callow, added that it “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.”

Austal has been a leader of autonomous vessels, announcing delivery of the US Navy’s largest autonomous craft – the 337-foot USNS Apalachicola – in February 202.

That vessel built on the highly automated hull, mechanical and electrical systems already installed on the Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport ships, which are built in Mobile, Alabama for the US Navy.

Greenroom CTO Harry Hubbert said that PBAT allowed his company to install, test and operate GAMA software to successfully navigate Sentinel over a series of remote and autonomous tests off the coast of Western Australia.

“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,” said Hubbert.

“We’re excited to be continuing our close collaboration with Austal to further develop fully integrated remote and autonomous technologies and explore new opportunities for optionally crewed vessels that ultimately may contribute to meeting AUKUS Pillar 2 objectives”.

Picture: supplied

Further reading

Greenroom Robotics joins Austal in autonomy trial

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