Kiel University (CAU), together with the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean", is a leading scientific partner on the topic of autonomous navigation: 14 professors from five faculties of the CAU are working in the newly founded nationwide network "SKAS - Systems and Components for autonomous shipping ". The network of companies, research institutes and institutions intends to develop and research transdisciplinary systems, components, sensors, technologies and communication services for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous ships. The network is coordinated by EurA AG and funded by the Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) of the German Federal Government.
After the first projects on autonomous driving in rural regions started at Kiel University last year, the Technology Transfer Department of the CAU and the Cluster of Excellence "The Future Ocean" are currently working on further project outlines of autonomous transport conceptualizations involving autonomous ships.
For example, a pilot line combining autonomous bus and ferry routes could conceivably improve the connection between the western and eastern shores of the Kiel Fjord, including the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel.
In the past few months, the CAU coordination team has been able to address and co-operate with different players from industry, science, administration and politics. Initial project meetings will take place shortly with companies, experts from research, politics and administration for further strategic development of the topic.
Links
www.uni-kiel.de/forschung/en/technologietransfer
www.futureocean.org/en/technologietransfer
Contact
Coordination team at Kiel University / Cluster of Excellence „Future Ocean":
Dr. Karsten Pankratz
InnovationScout im Technologietransfer (CAU)
kpankratz@uv.uni-kiel.de
Dr. Wiebke Müller-Lupp
Koordinatorin für transdisziplinäre Ozeanforschung – Kiel Marine Science / Future Ocean
wmueller-lupp@uv.uni-kiel.de
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