This year’s SMM in Hamburg will see the launch of the Aura Asset Performance Management System, the culmination of two years of collaboration between Elomatic and Europe’s largest private AI lab, Silo AI. We are excited about the end result: the creation of a highly customisable, 360-degree asset performance and technical support system that is designed to utilize cutting edge AI technology to support enhanced operational efficiency.
The maritime industry creates a vast amount of operational, commercial, and environmental data. However, the industry has been largely left behind by the digital transition, leaving it failing to reap many of its benefits; continuing to rely heavily on early phase digital solutions, outdated operating systems, and scattered documents that fail to deliver the full potential of the digital era when it comes to accessing, utilising, and sharing this data.
Computerized maintenance management systems (CMMIS) are a regulatory requirement and represent the current industry standards for minimum compliance. Yet, these systems are often seen as unhelpful obligations, frequently reduced to basic ‘tick box’ exercises to ensure compliance. Aura represents an evolution that enables a compliance mindset to transform into one where asset efficiency and safety is greatly enhanced. With minimal intervention, Aura can inform its users by combining quality data and insights from the crew, with sensor data from equipment to significantly improve vessel operations.
This past decade has seen significant strides in maritime digitalisation, focusing on autonomous navigation, advanced ship automation, and data collection and analysis. Modern ship automation systems can capture extensive operational data, but this data is often underutilized due to fragmented storage and proprietary restrictions by manufacturers.
In 2014, Elomatic launched EloWise, our first-generation data collection and management system for both marine and industrial environments. The system was designed to facilitate fleet digitisation through features such as, using original ship design documentation, 360° photos of the vessel’s environment, which is used to enhance robust, simple, and automated data collection.
Since then, Elomatic has continued to develop their offering in the field of enhanced data management systems, utilizing the latest in technological development to ensure that our solutions remain future proofed to support the industry as it navigates the ongoing digital transition.
The Aura APM system, has the capability to optimize the lifetime value of our customer’s assets, improve maintenance strategies, and reducing operational costs by utilizing advanced analytics and predictive maintenance techniques. The system’s aim is to significantly enhance the international shipping fleet’s approach to harnessing the power of data insight to support accurate decision making in areas including: emissions reductions of a fleet, training a new captain, and monitoring the efficiency performance of new fuel types. When applied to predictive maintenance, Aura can produce detailed customisable asset data streams, allowing ship owners to accurately monitor their vessel’s condition in real time. This in turn allows for proactive maintenance that would not have been realisable before, preventing the need for costly emergency repairs and extended downtime periods.
In order to adapt, the shipping industry is recognising that it needs to embrace smart systems and user-friendly tools that bring together all of the rich data that is available in one accessible and intuitive place. From the engine room to the bridge, smart systems are bringing more automated processes to areas such as the main engine, cargo handling, and HVAC systems. These solutions can identify where savings can be made, where emissions can be reduced, where proactive maintenance is required, or where alternative routes might be preferred.
Traditional maintenance management holds to a rigid schedule, requiring interventions at fixed intervals to prevent costly breakdowns. Conversely, Aura optimises maintenance schedules by producing clean, accurate, and accessible sensor data that provides a clear picture of exactly where and when maintenance is required.
The integration of machine learning and AI within an APM system is likely to greatly increase the scope and application of the data that can be gathered in the future and act as an iterative blueprint for future integration of AI systems into maritime operations. Over time, the Aura system will be capable of providing actionable condition monitoring, as well as AI-based functionalities to reduce repetitive manual work.
The goal of Aura is not to introduce complex software integrations that compounds already busy workloads. Instead, we are focused on delivering a tool that is easily accessible, aligns seamlessly with existing systems, and reduces the amount of time that crew members have to spend on non-essential tasks. Ultimately, this will enhance both the day-to-day and lifetime value of a vessel, reducing costs, and supporting more operationally sustainable and safer vessels.
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.