AI and Robotics for Smart and Sustainable Ports, within the RAISE Training Program, Spoke 5

On January 30, the seminar “AI and Robotics for Smart and Sustainable Ports” took place at Talent Garden Genova, at Giardini Baltimora. The event was part of the P7 – Advanced AI & Robotics Applications for SMEs, within the RAISE Training Program, coordinated by Spoke 5.

The RAISE project, and in particular the research and technology transfer activities of Spoke 4, were presented by the spoke leader, Davide Giglio (University of Genoa).
In the following presentation, Francesca Garaventa (CNR-IAS) introduced the activities carried out by CNR within Spoke 4, which were then presented in detail by Filippo Castelli (CNR-IAS).

The CNR technologist discussed the use of RAISE’s innovative technologies in two areas: the analysis and cleaning of biofouling on ship hulls, and the analysis of the presence of invasive species on ship hulls.
Castelli showed how robotics (in this case ROVs), combined with neural networks and AI, can also be applied in the marine biology field.

Thanks to the integrated approach of ecorobotics, it is possible to carry out an assessment of the hull and then clean it, simplifying the task while operating effectively and efficiently, ensuring greater safety for port operators and achieving a positive final impact on biodiversity.

Ferdinando Cannella (IIT) presented some of the activities involving IIT researchers, particularly those aimed at enabling robots to move and recognize elements within the port using a “detection box.” These technologies have applications in various activities, such as area inspection and cigarette butt recognition by a robot; the detection of a radioactive source by a tracked or quadruped robot; as well as projects involving social robots that can move within a museum or a passenger terminal, recognize people, and interact with them.

The researcher also showed how cameras can be used to compare before-and-after images, mapping part of the port or scanning sections of ships.

In the following part of the event, two representatives from companies – Davide Anghinolfi (IROI) and Francesco Rebora (Exis) – offered direct testimonials about the work carried out within RAISE through projects that won the cascade funding calls.

The event concluded with a round table discussion on the opportunities and challenges of RAISE for smart and sustainable ports, with the participation of all the speakers, followed by a networking session involving researchers and members of the audience.