British Columbia is “supporting domestic companies to test dual-use technologies that make our ports safer, cleaner, and more competitive while strengthening Canada’s sovereignty and defence capabilities,” according to Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth.
An example of this includes recently announced support from Innovate BC’s Integrated Marketplace initiative across three local projects.
“These new data tools will reduce emissions and promote clean transportation—critical goals for our environment and communities— while delivering safer port operations using made-in-B.C. technology,” stated Kahlon.
Specifically, Nuport Robotics, Open Ocean Robotics, and Hydra Energy are testing technologies at the Port of Prince Rupert.
“Companies like Nuport Robotics, Open Ocean Robotics, and Hydra Energy are showing the world what Canadian innovation can achieve,” remarked Rick Glumac, B.C. Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence and New Technologies.
“By testing cutting-edge clean technologies in Prince Rupert, we’re proving that our homegrown tech solutions can reduce emissions, improve safety and strengthen our economy,” he said.
Nuport is leading a $300,000 project featuring the installation of a data-acquisition system on a short-haul truck at the port in order to lower emissions and “de-risk” deployment of technology.
The port of Prince Rupert will test Open Ocean Robotics’ DataXplorer Gen 2 autonomous uncrewed surface vessel in a $400,000 project.
And a $1-million project led by the Prince Rupert Port Authority and Hydra Energy will develop a hydrogen-fuelling station and test zero- and low-emission vehicles to support sustainability efforts within the port’s operations.
“British Columbia is a proven leader in clean transportation and energy innovation, and the Integrated Marketplace is strengthening that standing by supporting B.C. companies to deploy solutions that transform critical industries and reduce emissions,” commented Innovate BC chief executive Peter Cowan.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority Testbed “provides a valuable real-world environment to demonstrate how persistent, uncrewed surface vehicles can support safer, more sustainable port and coastal operations,” according to Julie Angus, a cofounder of Open Ocean Robotics.
“Testing these innovative technologies advances our efforts to make gateway operations safer and more efficient, both on water and land,” noted Kurt Slocombe, interim president of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “The findings will help inform our strategies to reduce the overall impacts of port activity.”
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