NTU Singapore and Naval Group team up on autonomous tech for vessels

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) and the French shipbuilder Naval Group, through its subsidiary Naval Group Far East, are collaborating to drive autonomous technologies for vessels and unmanned vehicles.

Two research agreements were inked on 28 September 2023 between NTU Associate Vice President (Strategy & Partnership) Professor Lam Kwok Yan and Naval Group Far East Managing Director Luc Martinelli. These projects amount to S$2.3 million.

One project focuses on developing a semi-autonomous vessel navigation system that automates path planning to avoid collisions.

The other focuses on developing an artificial intelligence-powered mission planning tool that can allow a fleet of unmanned vehicles to work in tandem and alter its course of action real-time in response to emergencies.

These technologies could find applications in areas such as vessel navigation, search and rescue missions, environmental monitoring, and naval operations.

This partnership draws on the scientific expertise of NTU’s Centre for Advanced Robotics Technology Innovation. In particular, in its R&D domain “smart naval forces”, its R&D centre of excellence in Singapore works in close cooperation with the Technical Department and the Autonomous Systems Department.

“This partnership marks a new step in our development in Singapore. We are honoured to be working with NTU’s top researchers and its advanced robotic innovation centre,” Luc Martinelli, Managing Director of Naval Group Far East commented.