Orca AI, a London-based company focused on developing autonomous navigation for maritime use, has recently introduced a new software feature dubbed Co-Captain. This new technology is envisioned to prevent nearly all maritime accidents. The deployment of a new, innovative platform is designed to analyze vast real-time data from several onboard sensors. By analyzing current conditions, Co-Captain helps predict how these factors will impact nearby vessels, enhancing overall safety and performance in the maritime industry.
The Co-Captain platform is currently in use on more than 1,200 vessels globally. It passively captures data from multiple sensors already equipped on vessels, sending this data to the cloud for further analysis. This real-time data interchange makes possible alerts and updates in near real-time that give crews vital information to help them operate safely.
Co-Captain links up a fleet of vessels through Orca AI’s tech. Combined, they document significant maritime incidents across the globe and help bring those critical lessons learned back to users. The objective of this novel system is better ship performance and safer vessels worldwide. The system works like your favorite navigation app, which tells you when there’s congestion or a road closure in your path.
Yarden Gross, CEO and co-founder of maritime tech venture Orca AI illustrated the deeper connectedness while discussing the state of maritime navigation.
“Every ship acts as a node in a larger network, and each node—the vessel itself—has an onboard AI platform.” – Yarden Gross
Co-Captain uses complex, multi-factor algorithms to study ship speed, arrival times and port call routes. This allows it to very proactively predict and prevent incidents before they occur. Co-Captain’s centralized alerts steer users towards the most urgent, critical safety issues. This crucial assistance has proven invaluable in greatly increasing situational awareness for maritime crews.
The system architecture has a strong emphasis on anonymizing data shared between all vessels, so that sensitive information about reporting vessels is protected and does not leak. Gross highlighted this aspect of the platform’s functionality:
“By anonymizing the data, Co-Captain can share critical safety alerts such as GPS interference, severe weather, or high traffic without ever exposing which vessel reported it or where it came from.” – Yarden Gross
Orca AI is in continuous improvement mode. The team plans to further integrate Co-Captain with additional bridge systems, such as Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS). This integration can further equip mariners with the tools needed for safe navigation, as we head into a potentially more active hurricane season.
The introduction of Co-Captain exemplifies Orca AI’s mission to enhance maritime safety using cutting-edge technology. Orca AI was established in 2018 by Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv. They are always pushing the envelope in the maritime industry and busting their tails to minimize risk while cutting through crowded waterways.