Use cases
Use Cases
Our objective is to demonstrate the applicability and value-adding potential of research and innovation results from the centre, and disclose new problems for further research.
Each use case will involve at least one end user, product and service providers, research institutes, universities and authorities, which represent the entire research‐innovation chain as well as competence at all technology readiness levels (TRLs). At the start of the Centre, four use cases have been identified as most promising from the industry-partners’ perspective. In collaboration with WP7, the use cases will be run as innovation projects with a typical duration of 2-3 years, and with steering and heavy involvement from industry partners. When a use case has reached a sufficiently high TRL, it will be handed over to the industry partners for further development internally and/or through new and dedicated research and innovation projects. More use cases will be introduced during the lifetime of the centre, based on updated market and technology developments. The main research tasks are:
- Task 6.1 on use case identification and specification, which covers the specification of objectives, deliverables and need for research results from WP 1-5.
- Task 6.2 on case-data management, which includes the gather and manage use case data provided by industry partners (e.g. data from ships in operation). Ensure access to relevant data for researchers and students.
- Task 6.3 on the integration of research results, which is about the integration of relevant results from WP 1-5 into holistic use case deliverables, i.e. complete technological and operational concepts.
- Task 6.4 on the demonstration, which includes the verification and documentation of the performance of the concept deliverables through simulator, model-scale and/or full-scale demonstrators.
Use case site visits
Visit to Fugro in Aberdeen
Two Work Package 3 researchers visited Fugro's Remote Operation Centres (ROCs) in Aberdeen, Scotland, in August 2023. The researchers observed the ROCs for the unmanned surface vehicle (USV) Orca and the remote-operated vessel Blue Essence. A superintendent and global product manager of Fugro shared their insights into the transition from conventional vessel-based operations to ROC-based operations.
Visit to Fugro in the Netherlands
In February 2023, researchers and PhD students focusing on Use Case 4 Offshore support operations visited our partner Fugro in Nootdorp in the Netherlands. A guided tour around the Fugro TechCentre observing the technology development and prototyping was one of the highlights of they day. Fugro also provided a remote live tour of the Remote Operation Centre in Aberdeen. From this ROC, both ROVs and USVs are remotely operated.
Most importantly, plans were made for future collaboration on research activities, specifically around the PhD projects. Use case owner Equinor also participated in the workshop.
Visit to Reach Subsea and NMA in Haugesund
In February 2023, researchers and PhD students focusing on Use Case 4 Offshore support operations visited our partner Reach Subsea in Haugesund. Thorough introductions to ongoing offshore support operations and technology were given, followed by discussions around the use of unmanned surface vessels (USVs). Use case owner Equinor also participated in the workshop.
While in Haugesund, the Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) facilitated a workshop focusing on the risk-assessment of USVs and autonomous ships in general. DNV also contributed to this workshop with their insight from a classification perspective. Risk assessment will be an important focus area for Use Case 4.
Visit to NCL Svelgen in Orkanger
Centre researchers visited NCL Svelgen at Trondheim Havn container terminal in Orkanger in September 2022. NCL crew gave a guided tour on the vessel and provided a lot of interesting information about operational experiences. The port personnel also guided around the terminal and answered questions about the port logistics. The information gathered will be important in the further research related to Use Case 2 - Short sea container shipping.
Visit to the ferry between Levanger and Ytterøy
In March 2022 a team from SFI AutoShip visited the ferry crossing between Levanger and Ytterøy, invited by Torghatten. This is part of one of the Use Cases in SFI AutoShip and the purpose was for the PhDs and researchers to consider and learn about the possibiities for autonomy. They met with the shipping company and 3 captains who contributed with valuable knowledge and experience.
