Eight Knot develops autonomous navigation technology for small vessels using robotics and AI. Their core offering is the AI CAPTAIN, an automatic ship operation assistance system designed to automate maritime mobility. This technology aims to drive digital transformation and provide operational solutions for the shipping industry.
Funding
$5.2M raised to dateRaised to date based on public sources. This may differ from the amount the company actually raised and is based only on what is publicly available on the internet.
Founders
Product
Problem
Maneuvering vessels, especially smaller ones, can be challenging due to obstacles, other ships, and varying sea conditions, potentially leading to accidents or inefficient routes. Furthermore, a shortage of experienced crew members and the time required for training can limit operational capabilities and increase labor costs.
Solution
Eight Knot provides "AI CAPTAIN," an autonomous navigation platform designed for small vessels that enhances safety and efficiency by automating ship operations. The system uses AI and robotics to detect obstacles and other vessels in all directions, generating optimal routes and avoidance maneuvers in real-time. AI CAPTAIN automates departure and docking procedures, and can be retrofitted onto existing vessels. By digitalizing operational information and managing it in the cloud, the platform enables remote monitoring and supports enhanced safety and efficient navigation.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes operators of passenger boats, cargo transportation vessels, fishing boats, water monitoring boats, and pleasure boats seeking to enhance safety, reduce workload, and address crew shortages.
Features
- AI-powered route generation that automatically sets optimal routes to a chosen destination
- Real-time object recognition using sensor data and image recognition to identify other ships and obstacles, even those not equipped with AIS
- Automatic avoidance route generation based on sensor data analysis to ensure safe navigation
- Model Predictive Control for route following, even in complex maritime conditions with disturbances like tidal currents and wind
- Embedded system development, including sensor interface construction and control circuits for steering devices
- Cloud-based system for real-time visualization and management of operational information