ASV Global, the UK’s leading autonomous vessel technology developer, has opened a new centre for the development of autonomous vehicle technology.
Opened by Mark Garnier MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, the state-of-the-art centre will provide a ‘mission control’ where new technology will be developed and the company’s fleet of ‘ASV’s’ can be monitored. The autonomous vessels will communicate with the HQ via satellite.
Located at ASV’s Headquarters in Portchester, development of the site has been partly funded by Innovate UK. The funding came through in 2015 under a project called ‘Unmanned Safe Maritime Operations Over The Horizon’ which tasked ASV Global’s team of autonomous system engineers to research and develop both the technology and the regulatory requirements of operating autonomous vessels over the horizon.
The Headquarters will also provide a site to conduct operator training and simulation exercises. ASV Global signed a licence agreement at the end of 2016 with UK MOD allowing for the use of its Advanced Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) Capability technology.
Technical Director Richard Daltry said: “As a result of this Innovate UK project and our portfolio of complimentary research and development programmes, I am proud to say that we are now ready to start real world testing of our autonomous over the horizon control system. This new Mission Control Centre will be instrumental in our continuing developments and will demonstrate our ability to achieve advanced, safe, autonomous operations at sea”.
International Trade Minister, Mark Garnier, said: “With world-renowned research institutions and leading innovative businesses the UK’s south coast really is a leading marine and maritime hub. ASV Global is at the heart of this. Their pioneering autonomous vessel technology showcases the very best of UK expertise. They already export to 10 countries demonstrating their leadership in this sector. A strong example of a successful UK exporter, I want more companies to follow their example and seize the global demand for UK goods and services.”
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