It’s great to see progress being made in the Connected Places Catapult Maritime Accelerator Programme.
Five successful trial applications have received between £10,000 and £30,000 of funding to conduct trials to support the commercialisation of their innovative products.
They will also receive business and investment support, coaching, and mentoring from the Catapult as part of the main accelerator programme.
It is a great privilege for Serco to be involved as a Strategic Partner in a ground-breaking programme such as this alongside other partners; Port of Tyne, A.P. Moller - Maersk, DP World, Houlder Limited, Portsmouth International Port, Royal Navy, and the University of Plymouth.
The Accelerator welcomed solutions in four challenge areas: power, propulsion and vessel operations, shore side technology and infrastructure, safety and security, and resource management.
Below are details of the five SMEs selected to run trials as part of the accelerator programme:
ACUA Ocean will demonstrate a hybrid hydrogen-electric powered small water plane twin hull uncrewed surface vessel called Pioneer, which will deploy sensors and systems for offshore energy and maritime security.
Purple Transform will use its AI platform, SiYtE, to highlight risks associated with pedestrian movement in ports and provide incident detection to enhance worker safety.
Rux Energy is developing nanoporous materials and advanced carbon composite tanks for the storage of hydrogen in maritime. Its trial will explore the feasibility of a local hydrogen value chain in the sector and involve the modelling of supply, storage, distribution and utilisation of hydrogen for workboats in a port environment.
SpatialCortex is creating wearable sensors with AI-driven analytics to address back problems - or musculoskeletal disorders - within maritime. It hopes to prevent injuries and better ensure compliance with safety protocols. Its trial will address incorrect manual-handling, awkward posture and prolonged sitting during desk-based activities.
Stellar Advanced Concepts Ltd will trial a nature-inspired drag reduction surface texture for ship hulls and autonomous underwater vehicles. The idea is to enhance vessel performance, save fuel and reduce environmental impact, maintenance need and installation costs compared to conventional coatings.
We look forward to continuing our work with the Connected Places Catapult and the SME's to support driving innovative technology development for the Maritime Sector.
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Mark Wray, Kirsty Murphy MBE MEng, Georgie Cruttenden, Kirsty Gouck, Venetia Hulse, Sophia L..
