Austal Australia is pleased to announce that West Australian-based Greenroom Robotics has joined the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial, underway for Trusted Autonomous Systems and the Royal Australian Navy. Greenroom Robotics will integrate their Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV) control software, known as GAMA, into Sentinel (a decommissioned Armidale-class Patrol Boat) that will allow autonomous navigation, remote pilotage and control, mission planning and operations. Austal Australia’s Chief Technology Officer, Glenn Callow said Greenroom Robotics brings a proven and tested autonomous technology that will facilitate risk reduction activities, explore fleet optimisation objectives, and enable collaborative learning opportunities.
“We’re delighted to welcome Greenroom Robotics to the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial and look forward to GAMA integrating seamlessly with the vessel’s command and control systems, including Austal’s proven MARINELINK technology. GAMA’s specifications and capabilities align perfectly with the objectives of the trial which includes a number of risk reduction activities, fleet optimisation and learnings objectives.”
Greenroom Robotics Chief Technology Officer, Harry Hubbert said “GAMA is an effective autonomous maritime capability from an Australian partner, offering innovation, adaptability, and efficiency. We’re thrilled to be working with Austal on the Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial and looking forward to successfully demonstrating our locally developed technology on Sentinel.”
The Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) is a collaboration between Austal, Trusted Autonomous Systems (a Defence Cooperative Research Centre) and the Royal Australian Navy Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) Branch. The Trial aims to establish robotic, automated and autonomous elements on a patrol boat, providing a proof-of-concept demonstrator, for optionally crewed or autonomous operations for the RAN into the future. The Trial is also exploring the legal, regulatory pathways and requirements of operating an autonomous vessel at sea.
Austal Limited is an Australian-based global ship building company and defence prime contractor that specialises in the design, construction and support of defence and commercial vessels. Austal’s product range includes naval vessels, high-speed ferries, and supply or crew transfer vessels for offshore windfarms and oil and gas platforms. Austal has three major ship building facilities. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Henderson, Western Australia and Mobile, Alabama, US. Commercial vessels are constructed in Balamban, Philippines.Customers include the Australian Border Force, Condor Ferries, Mols Linien of Denmark, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Navy of Oman and United States Navy.
