Orca AI, a London-based autonomous maritime navigation company, has introduced a groundbreaking software feature called Co-Captain, aimed at enhancing maritime safety. Orca AI was established in 2018 by Yarden Gross and Dor Raviv. Since then, the company has developed groundbreaking solutions that leverage real-time data to improve vessel performance and safety. Maritime accidents are soaring, up 22 percent over the last few years. To address these challenges, Co-Captain is powered by a collaborative fleet of vessels, all of which share unique perspectives and life-saving information.
Co-Captain is an easy-to-adopt technology that continuously aggregates data in real time from a range of onboard sensors. It then transmits this data to the cloud for further analysis. The platform is now actively deployed across more than 1,200 vessels around the globe. It supports ship officers to tackle today’s dynamic maritime operating environments with boldness. Orca AI is just getting started and looking to continue to expand its capabilities by integrating this technology with other bridge systems. These systems are Navigational Telex (NAVTEX) and Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS).
To help introduce just how innovative Co-Captain is, we reached out to Yarden Gross, the CEO and co-founder of Orca AI.
“Every ship acts as a node in a larger network, and each node—the vessel itself—has an onboard AI platform. This platform collects data from multiple sensors in real time,” – Yarden Gross
The growing epidemic of maritime casualties underscores the immediate necessity for this technology. Usually, aging vessels and equipment failures are to blame for these preventable accidents. Current monitoring tools, such as radar and the automatic identification system (AIS), are not always automated and require human input, making them more susceptible to human error. By automating data collection and analysis, Co-Captain can better anticipate how varying conditions will affect nearby ships, factoring in their size and design.
Co-Captain’s new feature that allows users to share safety-related alerts anonymously marks a major development in the state of maritime communication.
“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
This approach enhances the safety of all vessels involved while allowing ship officers to make informed decisions based on the collective intelligence of the network.
Gross compared the usability of Co-Captain to popular navigation apps on personal vehicle dashboards.
“Co-Captain is a network of vessels using Orca to capture events worldwide and share insights. Think of it like the navigation app you use in your car: it tells you about traffic or roadblocks in advance so you can adjust your route,” – Yarden Gross
Co-Captain provides real time alerts for hazards and operating environment. This proactive precaution helps to greatly minimize risks of potential collisions and other marine incidents.
Orca AI’s story started with the company’s first products, SeaPod and Fleet View, but gradually transformed into today’s sophisticated Co-Captain platform. As the company continues to innovate and expand its offerings, it remains focused on improving safety standards in the maritime industry.