Lomar joins with Mythos AI to ‘push boundaries’ of autonomous navigation
Partners will be applying lesson learnt from Silicon Valley developments in self-driving tech
Logothetis family shipping arm sees AI having ‘huge potential’ for shipping
LOMARLABS, the corporate venture lab set up less than two years ago by Logothetis family shipping vehicle Lomar, has teamed up with autonomous navigation expert Mythos AI to pilot-test artificial intelligence technologies.
In a statement, the two companies said they aimed to “pave the way for a safer and smarter shipping industry” and “push the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable shipping”.
The initiative comes ahead of the International Maritime Organization’s finalisation of a non-mandatory code for autonomous merchant ships, that is scheduled to be adopted by May 2025.
“This collaboration comes at a critical time,” said Lomarlabs managing director Stylianos Papageorgiou.
“Working with Mythos AI underscores our commitment to harnessing the best in technology and innovation to create cleaner, safer and more efficient maritime futures,” he said.
Mythos AI was set up in 2021 by engineers from the Silicon Valley self-driving car industry and is seeking to apply lessons learnt in that sector to develop products for vessel operators.
The Florida-based company has developed advanced pilot-assist systems for vessels, coupling this with its Nexus product, a near real-time system for depth mapping for the waters around ports.
It has also developed the unmanned survey vessel “Archie” that it claims is the first vessel enabled by autonomy and an APAS that enables navigation of congested coastal and inland waterways.
Other autonomous marine technologies were “only viable for remote or offshore operations”, it said.
“In time Mythos will offer full self-driving and autonomy for vessel operators in the busiest ports allowing their customers to scale their fleets, grow their business and disrupt their competition,” the two companies said.
Autonomous technology had potential to enhance bridge resource management and augment the capabilities of navigation officers.
This could enable precise route optimisation and fuel efficiency “while offering enhanced safety through real-time situational awareness and unwavering alertness,” according to the statement.
The collaboration represented “a major step forward”, said Mythos AI chief executive Geoff Douglass.
“By combining our autonomous technology with their deep maritime expertise, we are charting a new course for the industry that prioritises both efficiency and environmental stewardship,” he said.
Lomarlabs has quickly built up a portfolio of projects with development companies working on several solutions for the industry, including Alicia Bots, Bennu, Calcarea, CargoKite, Seabound and Turtle.
The shipowner and manager has a fleet of about 25 dry bulk carriers and tankers and has offered access to its vessel for testing of new technologies.
Lomar chief executive Nicholas Georgiou said that AI-driven technologies had “huge potential” for shipping maritime applications.
The new collaboration “puts us at the forefront of future innovations to drive the efficiency, effectiveness, safety and sustainability of operations at sea, not least in congested shipping lanes,” Georgiou added.
