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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SMARTER-2 (Surveillance of MARiTime surroundings through lasER technology)

Teaser

Summary

Contact and collision incidences are on the rise. This is also the most costly type of incidents in the maritime transport sector, representing 40% of yearly insurance claims. Semi and fully submerged objects in particular are causing headaches to shipping and offshore platforms as they go undetected by current state-of-the-art sensors. There is thus an acute need for improved observation capability of the ocean surface layer.
Similarly, the maritime security situation has in resent years again been deteriorating. This projectâ€™s opportunity arises from todayâ€™s inability to observe this challenging ocean layer. These incidents can be reduced by an appropriate observational sensor like a LADAR.
The project\'s consortium intends to bring to market an innovative sensor product based on Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) technology. The LADAR system enables accurate and real-time surveillance of the ocean surface layer, the water column immediately below and the seafloor, when within reach. Moreover, the system detects, characterizes, classifies and tracks various types of objects (e.g. floating containers, ice floes, floating debris, mammals, etc.) in real time. This afford ship, platform or port operators a much-needed broader state awareness, allowing them to make informed decisions and take preventive actions in safety, security or navigational stressed situations. The main SMARTER 2 objective is to commercialize the LADAR for the marine & offshore marketplace.

Work performed

1) The consortium has reviewed and refined the functional system requirements in relation to commercial requirements with an enlarged End User Group. The end users requirements document was created.
Moreover, the project discussed sensitivity and validation requirements. The partners evaluated the sensitivity performance envelope to re-check LADAR quality in various conditions (bright sunlight/ strong wind, etc.).
To verify whether the target performance envelope meets commercial requirements, a set of tests, evaluations and validation plans has been proposed and discussed.
In addition the consortium reviewed commercialization requirements. Most of the time has been spent on revision of current manufacturing, branding, packaging, distribution plans. It resulted with various updates to our business plan.
2) The project has worked on adapting the prototype (LADAR Mk1) to best approach the market according to the commercial requirements, mainly: performance and cost-effective production. This has involved refinements of specific modules, hardware configuration and software adjustments. The LADAR Mk1 has been used as a testbed for lab/performance testing and also to evaluate new technologies/functionalities. These improvements have been all introduced on the LADAR Mk2 which is currently being realized and which will be deployed on the test vehicles, whereas the final production version LADAR Mk3 will be adapted and produced working with the selected production partner.
We have set up a dedicated project LADAR Test and Verification laboratory at Fornebu, Norway that includes indoor test and assembly space and an outdoor test range in addition to a vehicle based test set up.
3) The consortium started for installation and integration. The result of this action was creating a first general installation plan for any type of ships.
4) Laboratory and field testing, sensitivity and reliability assessment has started. The testing has involved indoor testing using laboratory instruments for accurate calibration and first outdoor testing using the dedicated mobile test vehicle.
5) Industrial design reviews and cost assessments have been performed. We have been systematically assessing each part for more cost-effective replacements. Moreover, we have been redesigning the modules where possible to further save system costs and weight.
6) The project dedicated reasonable time and effort for manufacturers assessments and selections. We have checked track records, reliability and cost effectiveness of each candidate in order to choose the most cost effective manufacturer.
10) The marketing and sales effort started already in WP 1 as an assessment and revision of the drafted commercialization strategy, based on the needs of the end-user group (and the expertise of the participating SMEs).
Sales and marketing plan and communication plan have been formulated and is presented as deliverables within the project.
11) Another exercise, which was executed by the consortium within the 1st projectâ€™s period refers to the refinements of the business plan stemming from the two predecessor projects with acronyms: OSLO and SMARTER-1. Based on the findings in the previous actions and with current adjustments we were able to update our business plan.
12) When redesigning the system and including new components, some new innovations emerge, which should be protected. Since the consortium owns several patents related to the technology, they have been revised for any and all new claims created in SMARTER2 project.
13) As for as the management, monitoring and controlling activates are concerned, all have been executed on daily basis since the beginning of the project and will continue till the end.

Final results

1) The LADAR gives combined surface and underwater sensing: LADAR penetrates the ocean surface, which makes it possible to detect various types of submerged or partly submerged objects.
2) The LADAR provides 4D surface and subsurface imaging (X, Y, Z, plus time).
3) The LADAR gives high resolution temporal and spatial imaging.
4) The LDAR operates independent of speed.
5) Complementing performance: The LADAR is not limited by wind or wave spray (as is radar) or solely above surface or below surface monitoring.

The expected results include a LADAR re-design for quantity/scale-up manufacturing that will greatly lower production cost and thereby increase the LADAR Ltd. profit prospects.
Additionally, this project will further validate & demo the LADAR added value to end-users; re-assess relevant regulatory framework & certification; develop packaging & distribution networks; improve system installation and integration instructions and procedures; derive and perform system training; further generate IPR and patents; regularly assess marketing, sales and commercial values and perform such activities as outlined in the disruptive business plan (as to further gain insight into the qualities versus market value of the system, which is needed for determining criteria for success, planning & execution of the commercialization plan).

We differentiate 4 major impact types. The first one being scientific where we investigate the ultimate possibilities of the use of laser light for maritime security to reach theoretical conclusions about the potential applications of the system. The second impact is the technological impact expressed in terms of progress of TRL levels related to the overall system as well as that of available enabling techonologies. The third type of impact is the social impact. The project increases maritime security by preventing intruders, terrorist attacks, smuggling activities. Finally, several new job openings will be created both in the companies involved with the project and external ones. Forth and the last type of impact is the environmental impact.