The vision of the Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) think tank is to increase automation on board of ships with full autonomy as ultimate goal by bringing different stakeholders such as shipowners, technology providers, the research communities, classification societies together, mapping their individual needs and identifying different gaps (knowledge/regulatory/…).

The mission of the think tank is bringing the different stakeholders together with the intention to connect people and exchange knowledge on a regular basis.

The upcoming MASS session will be held in the framework of the Smart Port Week at The Beacon.

PROGRAM

• 9.30: Opening and welcome
• 9.45: Tom De Vleeschauwer, Innovation officer @the Begian navy

In 2020 the Royal Military Academy won the NATO innovation challenge with a concept to enhance trust between autonomous agents and human operators within the Minecountermeasures (MCM) replacement program. Trust from humans to autonomous agents is governed by a trust-triangle, which defines three basic factors that define the appropriateness of trust & mistrust of humans in autonomous systems. Next to these human factors aspects, there is also an important socio-ethical dimension. In order to better align the behavior of the autonomous agents, it is required to develop a simulation environment, where a digital twin can be extensively proofed under a wide scale of open-ended scenarios. We intend to launch a research project to develop a prototype simulation environment to validate the concept.

• 10:45 Pieter Maes, Researcher @Antwerp Maritime Academy

Pieter will present research from the Antwerp Maritime academy dealing with the onset of autonomous shipping. This research includes the Autonomous Ships and the Collision Avoidance Regulations: A Licensed Deck Officer Survey and the investigation of the interaction between manned and unmanned vessels based on full mission simulator experiments. Furthermore Pieter will elaborate on the challenges and opportunities for increased autonomy in oceangoing merchant navy vessel.

• 11.45: Closing remarks & sandwich lunch

FOR WHOM?

Technology companies, maritime and shipping companies, academics and everyone interested in autonomous ships.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

This is a free and publicly accessible event. Lunch is included and will be served at 12.00h.

We do charge a no-show fee of 50 EUR to registrants who don't show up, unless this has been timely communicated to the organization (24h).

This meeting will be held in English.

THE BEACON SMART PORT WEEK

The Beacon is the community for digital technology leaders. The Smart Port Week is a concept in which The Beacons collaborates with other organizations to share knowledge about smart ports, inspire all stakeholders, and foster collaboration. For more information about the Smart Port Week, please visit the website of The Beacon at https://www.thebeacon.eu