February 11, 2021
Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics has entered into a strategic alliance with Netherlands-based Damen Shipyards Group to incorporate its autonomous and wireless-helm system into Damen vessels.
The partnership will give Damen the ability to integrate Sea Machines’ technology as standard features in their shipbuilding catalogue. The agreement also includes in-house simulator training that will allow employees and customers to train on Sea Machines’ user interface and become familiar with modern autonomous-command capabilities.
“This significant development sends a clear signal to the industry that autonomous marine technology is rapidly gaining adoption and is in-demand among commercial operators,” said Sea Machines’ CEO Michael G. Johnson. “We see a future, where most, if not all, newly constructed vessels will feature autonomous technology as standard. This partnership will accelerate Sea Machines’ position as the ‘go-to’ provider of advanced ma
Sea Machines Promotes Bourque
Phil Bourque (Photo: Sea Machines)
Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous command and remote-helm control systems, has promoted Phil Bourque to the role of business development and sales director, U.S. Government, effective immediately.
In his new position, Bourque will primarily focus on advancing the company’s government contracts and related special projects. Bourque has relocated to the Norfolk, Va. area for the role, a move that enables Sea Machines to establish a new company foothold closer to key government customers and its strategic partner Huntington Ingalls Industries.
With more than 15 years’ experience working in the marine industry, Bourque joined the company in 2017 as director of business development. Prior to driving Sea Machines’ business, he built much of the global sales and support network for Seakeeper Inc, the leading manufacturer of marine gyrostabilizers. His work with USVs at Seakeeper inspired him to pursue
Credit Metal Shark “This is hard stuff; it’s not automation . this is autonomy . many data streams coming together, more complex algorithms, prioritization of messages, data shedding . we bring machine learning and AI into our computer vision side of our product. ”
Michael G Johnson, Founder, CEO, Sea Machines
While work on maritime autonomy has proceeded at speed globally, a pair of U.S. companies – Metal Shark and Sea Machines – have jumped to the fore in delivering solutions that have evolved from the research & development department to work on the waterways.
When talk turns to “autonomy” in the maritime sector there are more questions than answers. It is generally agreed that the technology is ahead of both legislation and business concerns, such as insurance. It is also generally agreed that short, local ‘point A to point B’ routes will emerge more quickly; while true autonomy on large oceangoing internatio