They say the first five years is the most crucial period for a company. For those who take the journey, truly understand why.
On February 13, 2024, Marine Thinking celebrates its sixth anniversary. The past five years of success, failure, and learning have all contributed to the exciting roadmap ahead for Marine Thinking. To reflect on this important milestone, we are proud to share some of the key moments in our company's short but innovative history.
2018
A Vision for Change
Marine Thinking is founded.
Marine Thinking defines its vision: “Transform the way we understand and interact with the ocean through autonomous technology and artificial intelligence.”
2019
The Birth of Core Technology
Development of Marine Tensor™ 1.0 begins. The cutting-edge technology system targets to bring AI intelligence and self-operation to marine vessels.
Marine Tensor™ is an AI-driven control and communication system that provides intelligent performance and self-operation capabilities to crewed and uncrewed surface vessels (USV). Among the highlighted features: autopilot, payload integration with real-time data exchange, edge AI, and cloud management (data collection and control). Marine Thinking’s development team targets level 3 autonomy.
The First Application – AI Detection
With direct support of the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Marine Thinking develops AI system for object detection and identification.
Supported by the National Research Council Canada’s (NRC) “Harris Alpha” project , Marine Thinking begins its path to commercialization using AI to detect and identify marine life. The company becomes one of the first Canadian small businesses to obtain a ROV fishing license (trial version), working closely with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) to establish a formal licensing process.
2020
Creating Vessels with Intelligence
Supported by the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), Marine Thinking begins development of its first autonomous surface vessel prototype.
Supported by the National Reseach Council Canada’s (NRC) IRAP “Harris Beta” project, Marine Thinking begins development of its first autonomous vessel prototype, powered by Marine Tensor™. A working prototype is successfully released in 2023, achieving all internal benchmarks. Harris Beta aims to utilize unmanned and autonomous vessels equipped with an ROV (AUV) and advance sensing technologies to perform surveys with artificial intelligence. The “Harris Beta” is a three-year project running from 2021 to 2024.
2023
Road to Commercialization
Marine Thinking successfully delivers autonomous surface vessel for commercial evaluation; courtesy of Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC).
Powered by Marine Tensor™, a small uncrewed Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship (MASS) with ANS Level 3 is delivered to the National Research Council Canada (NRC) for rigorous field testing and evaluation of commercial readiness. The MASS successfully passes all benchmarks set by NRC and would serve as the precursor to Marine Acadia™. Development of the MASS is supported by Innovation Solutions Canada’s (ISC) Pathway to Commercialization program. Administered under the “Challenge Stream”, the program helps startups and small/medium-sized businesses (SMEs) overcome technology testing and development hurdles, enabling Canadian technologies to be commercial-ready while also supporting government adoption.
Achieving Market Success
Marine Thinking performs multiple autonomous subsea surveys for Halifax Port Authority using Marine Acadia™.
In showcase of AI automation and efficiency, Marine Acadia™ completes autonomous subsea surveys of Piers 20, 21, and 22 (Halifax Harbour) within 30 minutes. Halifax Harbour serves as a major international hub, generating $2.72 B in annual business. To support such traffic, Halifax Port Authority (HPA) sought to examine the structural and seabed integrity of each pier with minimal downtime.
On the World Stage
Marine Thinking joins NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for North Atlantic (DIANA) programme.
Marine Thinking will apply its autonomous technology solutions to address commercial and defense challenges under DIANA’s Sensing and Surveillance category. The company is one of only 44 companies selected into the inaugural pilot programme – among more than 1,300 applicants. DIANA is the only accelerator programme that serves as a blueprint for emerging and disruptive technology innovators to navigate the defence and security sector across NATO nations, while actively supporting the civilian commercial success of programme participants.
