The inland shipping sector welcomes a remarkable innovation: the introduction of an advanced Rope Picker Robot as a new crew member aboard ships. The robot supports the crew during mooring. This innovation, led by Auto Mooring Solutions (AMS) in collaboration with the Maritime Academy in Harlingen and developed within the Interreg North Sea project InnoWatr, co-funded by the European Union, promises not only more efficient and safer mooring but also opens the door to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly inland shipping.
Innovation for Sustainable Goods Flows
Inland shipping is renowned for making a significant contribution to the European economy by transporting bulk goods and containers through an extensive network of waterways. However, achieving the European Union's ambitious targets for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by 2030 and beyond, remains a challenge, especially within the inland waterway transport (IWT) sector. The InnoWatr project provides for a proactive response to this challenge, aiming at greening good flows, investigating smart innovations, and providing financing solutions to maintain the position of inland shipping. In InnoWatr, collaboration between various stakeholders around goods flows is key. The greening targeted by this collaboration is supported by the implementation of new technological solutions. The Rope Picker Robot is an example of one of these innovations.
The revolutionary Rope Picker Robot
One of the more challenging tasks on board a ship is mooring, especially under difficult conditions such as poor visibility, challenging wind conditions or inadequate communication. AMS responded to this challenge with the development of the Rope Picker Robot, a smart mechanical arm that supports the crew's work during mooring in an intelligent and safe way. This innovation enables ships to moor safely and efficiently, with the robot controlled from the wheelhouse using perception and artificial intelligence.
Testing Phase on Training Ship Maxima
Before the Rope Picker Robot will be introduced into the market, the system undergoes thorough testing and further refinement. In collaboration with the Maritime Academy in Harlingen, AMS will extensively test the robot on their training ship Maxima. During this phase, teachers and students will not only become familiar with the system but also acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to operate it.
Benefits for Inland Shipping
Ultimately, the introduction of technical solutions such as the Rope Picker Robot, not only alleviates the workload on board, but also enables a more efficient and safer mooring procedure. The collaboration between partners within InnoWatr, in this special case AMS and the Maritime Academy, illustrates the power of joint development of new knowledge and skills, driving towards a greener and more resilient future for inland waterway transport.