Austal Australia and Greenroom Robotics have unveiled a major step forward in maritime innovation with the successful deployment of artificial intelligence and autonomous navigation systems on future Austal vessels. This collaboration aims to transform traditionally built ships into “smart ships” capable of intelligent decision-making and self-navigation, marking a defining moment in Australia’s push toward autonomous maritime technology.
The partnership between Austal and Greenroom was formalized in 2024, and since then, the two companies have worked together to merge Greenroom’s advanced AI software with Austal’s proven shipbuilding systems. One of the most striking achievements of this alliance is the remarkably rapid integration process. Greenroom’s autonomy suite can be installed and made operational in as little as five days, a fraction of the time typically required by other systems. This rapid deployment capability represents a major leap in reducing both costs and lead times for autonomy-enabled vessels.
Shipyard to Smart Ship
At the core of this innovation are Greenroom’s vision-based AI systems, GAMA and Lookout, which use existing onboard cameras to enable autonomous surface vessel operation. These systems seamlessly integrate with Austal’s MARINELINK Prime platform to deliver enhanced situational awareness and real-time decision-making capabilities. In a recent demonstration for the Royal Australian Navy, the integrated technology successfully completed 148 autonomous collision-avoidance maneuvers across a 705-nautical-mile voyage, underscoring its reliability and practical value.
Beyond speed and performance, the technology offers scalability across vessel types, from small uncrewed craft to large commercial and naval platforms. This versatility opens new possibilities for both defense and commercial sectors, where autonomy can enhance safety, reduce crew workload, and optimize operational efficiency. The ability to retrofit existing ships or design new ones with AI capabilities also gives Austal and its customers a strategic edge in a rapidly evolving global market.
Austal’s long-standing reputation as a world-class shipbuilder, combined with Greenroom’s agile, tech-driven approach, creates a powerful synergy. Together, they are advancing Australia’s position in the global race toward autonomous maritime systems. The implications extend well beyond defense—commercial shipping, offshore support, and passenger ferries stand to benefit from safer operations, improved energy efficiency, and reduced dependence on manual oversight.
As with any emerging technology, challenges remain. Regulatory frameworks for autonomous vessels are still developing, and ensuring cybersecurity, system resilience, and human oversight will be critical as autonomy becomes more widespread. Nonetheless, this partnership highlights how established industry leaders and innovative tech companies can work together to redefine the boundaries of shipbuilding. By moving from shipyard to smart ship in just days, Austal and Greenroom Robotics are setting a new standard for the future of intelligent maritime operations.
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Source: Austal
