Eight Knot Joins Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition for Autonomous Navigation Advancement

Eight Knot Enters the Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition

In a significant move for the advancement of autonomous navigation technologies, Eight Knot Corporation, based in Osaka, Japan, has recently joined the
Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition. This coalition focuses on promoting the implementation of autonomous vessels and Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs) in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions of North America.

The Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition is a collaborative network that includes government entities, academic institutions, private companies, non-profit organizations, and international agencies, all working together to study and implement autonomous marine technologies. By becoming a member of this coalition, Eight Knot aims to understand the demand trends in the North American USV and Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) markets, while also seeking real-world demonstration opportunities.

Furthermore, this participation is expected to facilitate dialogue with regulatory agencies and relevant organizations to establish operational rules for autonomous vessels. Additionally, Eight Knot will work on creating policies and regulatory networks through collaborations with technology providers and research institutions that are leading in this field in North America. This includes analyzing competitive trends and exploring potential partnerships.

Last year, Eight Knot was selected for a support program aimed at North America from Hiroshima Prefecture, and in the current year, the company was also accepted into an acceleration program in Portugal. Furthermore, agreements have been established with companies in Malaysia and Singapore, underscoring Eight Knot's commitment to expanding its operations not only within Japan but also internationally.

Overview of the Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition

The Great Lakes Smart Ships Coalition comprises stakeholders with a mutual interest in the development and social implementation of autonomous marine technologies in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence regions. The coalition focuses on several key activities including demonstration projects for autonomous navigation technologies, policy research, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders across borders and industries. One of its key initiatives includes operating the world's first freshwater autonomous vessel testbed, known as the Marine Autonomy Research Site (MARS). This diverse coalition includes members from various sectors, such as NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Transport Canada, the Michigan Institute of Technology, Kongsberg, Saildrone, and Wärtsilä. More information can be found on their website: Smart Ships Coalition.

About Eight Knot Corporation

Founded on March 8, 2021, Eight Knot Corporation is dedicated to making intelligent technology the standard for safe navigation at sea. Their mission is to develop and implement intelligent marine technologies that can enhance safety and efficiency in maritime operations. The company's innovative systems include the Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN System, which allows for retrofitting autonomous navigation capabilities to existing vessels, and the Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN Module, which encapsulates functionalities like steering control, real-time route generation, obstacle detection, and safety decision-making in a modular design for compatibility with various marine equipment and vessels. Through these initiatives, Eight Knot is committed to addressing challenges within the maritime sector while realizing a future where safe and comfortable water mobility is accessible to everyone.

Company Details:

- Name: Eight Knot Corporation
- Founded: March 8, 2021
- CEO: Hiroto Kimura, CTO: Tomoaki Yokoyama
- Headquarters: 18th Floor, Hilton Plaza West Office Tower, 2-2-2 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka
- Tokyo Office: 3C, Kujiraoka Dai-ichi Building, 1-16-8 Kameido, Koto-ku, Tokyo
- Hiroshima Office: Room 405, HIOS Hiroshima, 7-1 Kamihatchobori, Naka-ku, Hiroshima
- Business Focus: Development and sales of autonomous navigation systems for water mobility
- Website: Eight Knot