BAR Technologies (BARTech), an innovative simulation-driven marine engineering consultancy and wind propulsion leader, has announced a new partnership with GROKE Technologies (Groke), a world leader in situation awareness solutions, to design and develop systems for BAR’s WindWings® technology.
The collaboration with Groke will provide an autonomous navigation solution to enhance passage at sea and port maneuverability for vessels equipped with BARTech’s WindWings. The ground-breaking installation was pioneered on Mitsubishi Corporation’s Pyxis Ocean—chartered by global food corporation, Cargill—which was the first vessel to be retrofitted with WindWings. Since the retrofitting in August 2023, the Pyxis Ocean has made several voyages with WindWings and Groke Pro in operation.
Aiming to support the maritime industry’s shift to new low-carbon propulsion systems, whereby traditional lines-of-sight may be obstructed, Groke Pro provides imagery to the bridge collated from multiple locations on the vessel, together with an analysis of objects in the vessel’s periphery. Providing a superb situational awareness of the vessel surroundings, sensor fusion technology can combine inputs from different sensors on the vessel, including radar, AIS and Groke Pro’s day and night cameras. Powered by machine vision and machine learning, tools like blending and real-time risk analysis provide the vessel crew with the most accurate information to support their decision-making.
John Cooper, Chief Executive Officer, BAR Technologies, commented: “As we chart the future of the maritime industry, our partnership with Groke marks a pivotal stride toward the confluence of low carbon propulsion and the latest automation technologies—both of which put global shipping on the path towards a cleaner, more efficient future.”
(Image credit: BAR Technologies)
Juha Rokka, Chief Executive Officer, Groke Technologies added: “As shipping continues to evolve, Groke is committed to being among the front-runners of the maritime future. With our technology and know-how, we are confident that we can support the shipping industry in embodying higher standards in safety and materializing a cleaner future.”
Alongside the evolution of low carbon propulsion, the maritime industry also continues to grapple with skills shortages in the face of an increasing need to digitalize fleet management and operations.
While the industry explores the adoption of new technologies, the emphasis remains on building more autonomous systems without compromising traditional crew roles. Technology solutions, such as Groke Pro, help to optimize BARTech’s WindWings to enhance operational efficiency and the safety of seafarers.
These ongoing efforts to continually develop through the integration of advanced technology underscore BARTech’s commitment to a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced future for the shipping industry.
