In a groundbreaking move to advance innovation in the marine sector, Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have unveiled a new faculty chair dedicated to robotics and autonomy in marine vessels. This initiative represents a significant step toward strengthening Canadian shipbuilding expertise and fostering technological progress in the maritime industry.
The position, known as the Seaspan Chair in Robotics for Marine Vessels, bridges UBC’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering with its Department of Mechanical Engineering. This interdisciplinary approach reflects the complexity and collaborative nature of robotics research, particularly in developing mobile robotic platforms for diverse applications.
Dr. Adrien Desjardins, a distinguished researcher in sensing and robotics, has been appointed to this role. His work spans multiple fields, including machine learning, innovative sensing technologies, and autonomous robotics designed for navigating intricate environments. These advancements have practical implications for marine and ocean sciences, as well as biomedical applications.
“The appointment of Dr. Desjardins as the Seaspan Chair in Robotics for Marine Vessels at UBC represents a positive step towards a sustainable and innovative future in shipbuilding. This partnership embodies Seaspan’s commitment to harnessing Canadian expertise in robotics and autonomy, ensuring that they meet the challenges of today and pave the way for the next generation of engineers and researchers. This will help build a resilient, forward-thinking marine industry that prioritizes efficiency and environmental stewardship,” expressed François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Dr. Desjardins will lead cutting-edge research and instruction in areas such as adaptive sensing, autonomous navigation, underwater inspection, and environmental monitoring. Additionally, his work will explore collaborative robotic systems, or “swarms,” that operate in tandem to achieve shared objectives. Over the next five years, Seaspan will contribute $1 million to this initiative, with UBC matching this investment through its President’s Academic Excellence Initiative, bringing total funding to $2 million.
“We are proud to continue and strengthen our partnership with Seaspan in driving forward innovative teaching and research within our local and Canadian marine communities. Strategic partnerships like this play a critical role in building BC’s economy, fulfilling our commitment to protecting our environment, and attracting and training talented students to this important sector,” said Dr. James Olson, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science, UBC.
The potential impact of robotics on marine vessel operations is immense, particularly in enhancing efficiency and sustainability throughout a vessel’s lifecycle. As global interest in autonomous systems and collaborative robotics grows, Canada’s expertise in this field could unlock substantial opportunities in international markets.
“The collaboration has huge potential to have a transformative impact on marine engineering innovation in Canada within a short time. I am excited to develop new paradigms for rapidly accessing and navigating underwater environments. With interdisciplinary teams that include collaboration between UBC and Seaspan, we will move quickly from ideation to solutions that are successfully deployed in the ocean,” stated Dr. Adrien Desjardins, Professor, UBC Engineering and Seaspan Chair in Robotics for Marine Vessels.
UBC’s Faculty of Applied Science is dedicated to addressing climate challenges and fostering collaborations that drive innovation. This new faculty chair will tackle pressing research challenges, such as deploying drones and autonomous systems for environmental impact assessment, vessel performance monitoring, and marine inspections. By combining expertise in robotics, advanced sensing, data analytics, and artificial intelligence, the initiative aims to create transformative solutions for the maritime sector.
“We are excited to build on our existing relationship with UBC and further invest in the future of Canadian marine technology. Dr. Desjardins will lead important research that advances novel sensing and robotic systems that support high-functioning fleets and sustainable ship operations. At Seaspan, we believe this kind of forward-thinking collaboration is essential to ensuring Canada’s shipbuilding industry remains competitive on the global stage,” explained Dave Hargreaves, Senior Vice President, Strategy, Business Development and Communications, Seaspan Shipyards.
Seaspan’s funding for this role aligns with its broader commitment to innovation and sustainability under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. By investing in partnerships like this, the company is not only advancing technological capabilities but also nurturing the next generation of engineers and researchers poised to shape the future of Canada’s marine industry.
Through this collaboration, Seaspan and UBC are setting the stage for cutting-edge advancements that promise to revolutionize the way marine vessels operate and contribute to a more sustainable and technologically advanced maritime industry.
