Ahead of the official launch of the Aura APM (Asset Performance Management) system at SMM, Elomatic’s Product Owner, Ilari Leinonen (IL), and Silo AI’s digital transformation lead, Jussi Niemi (JN), sat down to discuss Aura’s journey, as well as the benefits that future integration of AI can have in enhancing maritime operations.
IL: At Elomatic, as an engineering and consulting company, our team is dedicated to advancing solutions that improve environmental and human wellbeing. As a result, we have extensive experience and an established role as an early adopter of new technologies.
As the maritime industry continues to adapt to ever more sophisticated digital systems, the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in supporting the crew and technical management onshore is going to increase in upcoming years. As an established engineering company, it was important that we engaged with a technical partner whose expertise in the AI field would complement our experience in ship design, with the knowledge and technical capability required to develop a system that would support the industry over the next 15 years, and beyond.
When we began looking for a technical partner, we had discussions with several companies, but the team at Silo AI – Europe’s largest private AI lab, now part of AMD, – was strongly aligned with our values and ambition, placing an emphasis on true collaboration that would allow us to learn from each other’s expertise.
We valued Silo AI's experience in B2B software solutions and cloud applications, with a holistic and thorough approach to software development in the first place and matching work culture, even though the distance between the teams is north of 7000 km. Although we may not be AI experts, we recognize its inevitable impact on software applications and the maritime industry as a whole.
JN: The maritime industry is now increasingly embracing more sophisticated technological solutions. Our approach has allowed us to integrate cutting-edge technology effectively, allowing us to prepare the tools to help enhance operational efficiencies on ships, which represents a crucial first step in unlocking the potential for future applications. AI is coming, and although it is integrating into the maritime sector at a slower rate than other industries, there is no doubt that systems like Aura are the future.
IL: The inspiration for Aura came from understanding the impact of utilizing data from assets and how this was affecting other industries. Throughout the interactions we have with our customers, it had become increasingly evident that the maritime industry is on the verge of improved data utilization transformation.
The maritime industry creates a vast amount of operational, commercial, and environmental data. However, established digital solutions appeared ill-equipped to keep up with increasingly more sophisticated and intelligent, multipurpose vessel designs, relying on outdated operating systems and scattered documents. Aura was created as an asset performance management system that is designed to make better use of the swathes of data that is generated over the course of maritime operations. It provides ship owners with comprehensive access to data streams from their assets, enabling them to monitor and predict the condition and performance of their vessels with greater precision, as well as manage the increasing regulatory compliance.
The core idea behind Aura is to offer clear, data-driven insights that facilitate cost savings and enhance decision-making. The platform’s user-friendly interface and customizable features allow for a more intuitive experience, while its 360-degree view of asset performance ensures that ship owners’ decision-making capabilities are enhanced by making asset management more straightforward, smooth, and driven by evidence.
JN: The amount of data that a single ship can generate is huge. The ability to properly harness this data and align it with the expertise of crew members on board to identify particular patterns, creates significant potential for enhanced operational efficiencies onboard.
IL: In essence, Aura embodies the vision of leveraging cutting-edge technology to transform maritime asset management. It aims to enhance the lifetime value of vessels, improve operational efficiency, and contribute to a more sustainable maritime industry by providing actionable insights and fostering proactive maintenance practices.
IL: The Aura platform leverages insights from the Internet of Things (IoT) data and human inputs, to make sure all the activities onboard and in collaboration with the office are timely and efficient. This is done to enhance asset performance management, improving operational efficiencies for ship owners and operators. By combining real-time data feedback with longer term vessel insights, Aura has the potential to support accurate decision making in areas such as emissions reductions of a fleet, reviewing maintenance operations to avoid unnecessary downtime, or monitoring the efficiency performance of new fuel types, or equipment.
JN: Also, Aura's condition monitoring capabilities will enable users to detect potential issues early and take corrective actions before they escalate. As the platform evolves, it will offer predictive insights, informing operators about likely future problems and prescriptive solutions.
IL: Integrating AI into asset performance management (APM) helps to support the day-to-day workloads of crew members, reducing the time spent on menial administrative tasks and freeing them up to focus on the things that matter.
Initially, AI can provide straightforward predictions and lightweight analysis, improving maintenance scheduling and risk management. Over time, the system will evolve, leveraging machine learning to offer more actionable insights as it processes more data.
JN: A key advantage of AI integration is the ability to combine real-time sensor data with the extensive expertise of experienced crew members. For example, an AI system can detect subtle fluctuations in machinery performance, and with input from a chief engineer, who will be familiar with the specific quirks of certain equipment, it can develop a more nuanced understanding. This collective intelligence can then be applied across the fleet, improving maintenance practices and overall operational efficiencies.
Additionally, AI can support condition monitoring by identifying patterns that indicate potential issues, which enables proactive maintenance. As the system learns, it moves from simple alerts to predictive analytics, suggesting future problems and prescriptive solutions. This not only enhances the reliability of the vessels but also optimizes operational efficiency, reducing costs and potentially extending the lifetime value of the asset.
IL: As AI technology continues to evolve, the Aura system has the potential to enhance maritime operations. With time, Aura's capabilities will expand, leading to more sophisticated asset performance management that will inevitably unlock broader industry applications.
The strength of Aura APM lies in its simplicity. As a highly customizable solution, Aura has the ability to integrate seamlessly with other specialized tools and software, which allows Aura to combine its AI-driven insights with data from various sources, such as ship tracking and route analysis software.
JN: The continued application of AI in maritime operations is unlikely to result in a one-stop-shop solutions that will fully automize vessel operations. Rather, there will be an operational environment in which individual solutions, with specific software applications, communicate seamlessly with each other. Aura is positioned well in this landscape, focusing on its core strengths, with the ability to collaborate with other systems.
IL: In the context of data ownership and utilization, the European Union's Data Act is set to transform how data is managed and utilized in the maritime industry. With ship owners gaining ownership of the data generated by their vessels, there will be a growing demand for systems like Aura that can effectively collect, analyze, and act on this data. This shift will drive innovation and competition, with Aura being at the forefront of providing integrated, intelligent data solutions.
Looking further ahead, the development of intelligent systems, such as Aura, will likely contribute to a more consolidated maritime technology landscape. As more companies strive to engage with more sophisticated data solution, Aura's continuous learning capabilities and focus on actionable insights will be crucial. The system will not only help in current operations but will also pave the way for advancements, such as autonomous shipping, by providing a robust foundation of data-driven decision-making.
For inquiries, support or more about our APM solutions, get in touch! Aura’s dedicated team of long-term pros and practical visionaries is here to assist you in optimising your fleet performance.
