Australian defense shipbuilder Austal and technology firm Greenroom Robotics have jointly developed an AI-powered solution that can transform traditional vessels into autonomous ships within just five days. The innovation is designed to enhance naval and commercial fleet capabilities with faster, safer, and more efficient automation.
The collaboration extends a 2024 agreement between the two Western Australia-based companies, leveraging Austal’s expertise in ship construction and Greenroom’s advanced AI-driven maritime software. The partnership focuses on reducing automation timelines and improving operational safety across modern fleets.
The autonomous system integrates Greenroom’s GAMA and Lookout+ programs, which analyze input from onboard cameras and sensors to support route planning, object detection, and collision avoidance. These applications work in tandem with Austal’s MARINELINK Prime control platform to manage navigation, propulsion, and onboard systems autonomously.
In a successful Royal Australian Navy trial, the system completed 148 autonomous collision-avoidance maneuvers during a 705-nautical-mile (1,306 kilometers/811 miles) test. The results highlight the system’s scalability and potential to redefine ship operations through next-generation AI autonomy.
