Case Study: ProMare achieves autonomous ocean research with IBM

ProMare and IBM launch the Mayflower Autonomous Ship

ProMare, a marine research and exploration nonprofit, faced the challenge of building an autonomous ship that could survive and operate safely in the harsh ocean environment while also collecting valuable scientific data. To make the Mayflower Autonomous Ship a reality, ProMare partnered with IBM and used IBM AI, edge computing, and cloud technologies to create a crewless vessel capable of full autonomy.

IBM implemented an onboard “AI Captain” using IBM Visual Insights, IBM Power Systems, IBM CPLEX Optimizer, IBM Operational Decision Manager, IBM Edge Application Manager, IBM Cloud, and The Weather Company. The system trained on more than one million nautical images and processed data from cameras, radar, sonar, and other sensors to navigate independently, follow collision rules, and support research missions. The ship launched in September 2020, entered sea trials, and began a 3,220-mile transatlantic voyage, creating a scalable platform for future ocean research and potentially reducing the cost and risk of marine data collection.

ProMare

Brett Phaneuf

Co-founder