Eight Knot's Autonomous Navigation Technology Used in Demonstration Test of "Demonstration Project for the Utilization of Autonomous Marine Unmanned Vessels and Underwater Vehicles"

Eight Knot Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Sakai City, Osaka Prefecture; Representative Director: Hiroto Kimura; hereinafter "the Company"), a startup specializing in ship autonomous driving technology, is pleased to announce that its self-developed autonomous navigation technology was used in a demonstration test of the "Demonstration Project for the Utilization of Autonomous Marine Unmanned Vessels and Underwater Vehicles," conducted jointly with our partner company FullDepth Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Satoshi Yoshiga), Toyo Engineering Corporation (President and CEO: Eiji Hosoi), Nittetsu Engineering Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Yukito Ishiwa), and Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Takaaki Mori). The "Demonstration Project for the Utilization of Autonomous Marine Unmanned Vessels and Underwater Vehicles" aims to study data-driven (DX) offshore wind power maintenance and management models and create a roadmap for the social implementation of AUVs, etc., as a step towards the domestic production and utilization of AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicles) that autonomously explore underwater. In this demonstration test, an ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle) and an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) were used to acquire unmanned data from an observation target simulating a floating offshore wind power generation facility. For this ASV, we used our company's small vessel "Eight Knot I," which is equipped with the autonomous navigation platform "Eight Knot AI CAPTAIN." It autonomously generated routes to the destination and navigated to the observation target while avoiding collisions by recognizing other vessels and obstacles using cameras and radar. The autonomous navigation to the predetermined position was achieved as planned, successfully meeting the objectives of this demonstration test. The Company will continue to strive for a society where everyone can safely and efficiently utilize the sea through DX in the marine field.

FullDepth's press release regarding the demonstration test: https://fulldepth.co.jp/news/305 About the Cabinet Office AUV Utilization Demonstration Project: https://www8.cao.go.jp/ocean/policies/auv/auv_pilot_project/pilot_index.html This is an autonomous navigation platform developed by our company, where AI detects obstacles and other vessels for automatic avoidance and maneuvering, and automatically performs everything from safe route setting to departure and arrival at port. It can also be retrofitted to existing vessels. Furthermore, it provides vessel intelligence technology in elemental units, including navigation, automatic maneuvering, and recognition of other vessels. Keywords: AI, Robotics, Autonomous Navigation, Technology