NTU Singapore, Naval Group to Advance Autonomous Vehicle and Vessel Navigation

NTU Singapore and Naval Group, through its subsidiary Naval Group Far East, are collaborating on autonomous technologies for vessels and unmanned vehicles, signing two research agreements totaling S$2.3 million on Thursday.

One project focuses on developing a semi-autonomous vessel navigation system that automates path planning to avoid collisions. The other focuses on developing an artificial intelligence-powered mission planning tool that can allow a fleet of unmanned vehicles to work in tandem and alter its course of action real time in response to emergencies.

These technologies could find applications in areas such as vessel navigation, search and rescue missions, environmental monitoring, and naval operations.
This partnership draws on the scientific expertise of NTU’s Centre for Advanced Robotics Technology Innovation, a S$45 million research centre launched in 2022, and on Naval Group’s industrial experience and rich heritage in naval engineering, shipbuilding and maritime defence innovative solutions. In particular, in its R&D domain “smart naval forces”, its R&D centre in Singapore works in close cooperation with the Technical Department and the Autonomous Systems Department.

Through this collaboration, Naval Group and NTU hope to conduct research, and create ecosystem that encourages collaboration between academia and maritime industry, thereby facilitating the swift translation of research into practical applications.