Australian AI Startup Granted AUKUS Exemption License for Crewless Boats
An Australian AI startup specializing in software for crewless boats has announced that it has been awarded one of the initial AUKUS exemption licenses by the Australian government. This license permits the company to share information with defense contractors in the United States and Britain.
As Australia continues to prioritize the protection of its extensive coastline and vast northern ocean territory spanning up to 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million sq km), defense officials have emphasized the importance of autonomous systems in achieving these goals, alongside the substantial investment in nuclear-powered submarines.
In August, Australia, the United States, and Britain made significant strides in removing barriers to defense trade through an exemption to the U.S. International Trafficking in Arms Regulations, aimed at expediting the construction of nuclear-powered submarines under the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) pact.
Greenroom Robotics, founded by former Royal Australian Navy engineer Harry Hubbert, has been at the forefront of developing software that serves as the “brain” of vessels. This technology mimics the functions of a helmsman or navigator by communicating with onboard systems such as the rudder, engine, and radar.
Collaboration on autonomous vessel trials with defense companies in the U.S. and Britain will be accelerated thanks to the license exemption, Hubbert explained. Greenroom’s software has undergone successful trials on a variety of boats, ranging from small research vessels to offshore patrol boats.
Partnering with navy shipbuilder Austal Australia and collaborating with British company Subsea Craft on a tactical water vessel project, Greenroom Robotics is making strides in the development of dual-use software that can also aid in whale monitoring efforts.
Hubbert highlighted the potential for expansion into the U.S. and UK markets through AUKUS, emphasizing the broader horizons that this opportunity presents. With a significant portion of the ocean floor yet to be accurately charted, autonomous vessels equipped with Greenroom’s software can play a vital role in gathering crucial data for ocean research, national security, and maritime trade.
As the demand for advanced autonomous technologies continues to grow, Greenroom Robotics stands ready to contribute innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of the maritime industry.
(Source: Reuters)