Open Call #2 for Tech Solutions:

Apply from 2 March 2026 to 5 May 2026 (17:00 CET)

Topics/ Domains:

Remote ship inspections, augmented reality collaboration, robotic inspection platforms, human–robot hybrid workflows, structural monitoring, operational maritime knowledge, classification-compliant reporting, and real-time decision support.

Objectives:

The objective of this challenge is to establish a fully functional system enabling remote expert supervision of onboard inspections through real-time AR interfaces and robotic platforms. Specific goals include improving inspection accuracy, enabling expert guidance without physical presence, prioritizing inspection tasks using operational and historical risk data, validating inspection procedures on operational vessels through live demonstrations, where feasible, with a preference for arranging vessel access independently of consortium member support, and ensuring that all outputs meet regulatory and classification requirements.

Topics/ Domains:

Autonomous ship monitoring, engine room inspection, robotics, multi-sensor data integration, predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, operational maritime knowledge, safety and regulatory compliance.

Objectives:

The objective of this challenge is to design and specify an autonomous monitoring framework capable of supporting continuous patrolling and early anomaly detection in ship engine rooms. The framework will define effective patrol concepts and coverage strategies for autonomous inspection systems operating within the confined and complex environments of engine rooms, ensuring reliable and repeatable monitoring of critical areas. It will specify the integration of thermal, acoustic, vibration, and gas sensing modalities to enable early detection of abnormal conditions and emerging hazards. The framework will also develop data correlation and analysis methodologies that support robust anomaly detection and predictive maintenance, allowing early identification of degradation trends and potential failures. In addition, it will establish safety, regulatory, and operational requirements in alignment with SOLAS, the ISM Code, and established engine room safety standards. Finally, it will prepare validation methodologies and performance metrics suitable for future testing and demonstration on operational vessels, ensuring the framework can be objectively assessed under real-world conditions.

Topics/ Domains:

Digital twins for maritime applications; hotspot identification; robotic inspection technologies; structural integrity assessment; ultrasonic measurement integration; predictive maintenance; FE/CAD-based vessel modelling; automated inspection workflows; and AI-assisted analysis for maritime safety.

Objectives:

The objective of this challenge is to develop a digital twin that accurately represents the vessel’s structural condition by consolidating archival FEM/CAD data, prior UTM records, historical inspection documentation, and live robotic measurements. This will in turn enable the identification of inspection hotspot that can be prioritized for robotic inspection.

The solution aims to integrate several modalities: (e.g., visual, thermal, and ultrasonic data) collected through advanced inspection platforms and to interpret these outputs using class-approved maritime engineering expertise. This ensures that evaluations reflect actual structural degradation rather than theoretical approximations.

Topics/ Domains:

Visual Inspection; Ultrasonic measurements; Expert Knowledge; Deep Learning Corrosion Detection; operational maritime assessment; corrosion analysis; classification-compliant reporting systems; and repair specification generation.

Objectives:

The objective of this challenge is to infuse human expert knowledge in a unifying structural assessment framework that integrates long-term visual and thickness measurements. The framework should generate detailed condition maps, identify high-risk zones using operational knowledge and validate the methodology against historical data and real-world vessel conditions. This work will ensure that assessments reflect actual degradation behaviour and provide actionable maintenance guidance, grounded in practical maritime experience.

Topics/ Domains:

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Drone/UAV Systems, Asset Integrity Management, Maritime Inspection, Sensor Miniaturization, Advanced Electromagnetics (ACFM/ECT).

Objectives:

The objective of this challenge is to successfully design, prototype, and validate the NDT performance of a field-ready, USB-C powered, dual-mode ACFM/ECT NDT instrument + sensor payload, targeting ~200 g for drone-optimized versions.

Topics/ Domains:

Cargo Halls, Ballast Water Tanks, and Computer Vision

Objectives:

The objective of this challenge is to design, implement, and demonstrate a robust, vendor-agnostic mission execution framework that enables reliable execution of UAS-based inspection missions. The framework shall execute mission plans generated by the AUTOASSESS UI-DSS, be fully integrated with the project’s cloud backend and industrial digital twin, and support deployment in real industrial inspection scenarios. In parallel, it should deliver a high-TRL operator interface that provides full control and situational awareness to a supervising operator during inspection and exploration missions, in line with regulatory and safety requirements.

Topics/ Domains:

Autonomous Robotic Inspection, Autonomous Navigation in GNSS-denied Confined Spaces, Domain Adaptive and Probabilistic Deep Learning, Digital Twin, Historical Defect Evolution, Decision Support, others related to AUTOASSSES and justifiable

Objectives:

Objectives are to be set by the applicant but must respect the guidance defined in the Challenge context and additional requirements.