Ocean Supercluster Announces The Unmanned Digital Twinning Project

Today, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster announced four new projects with a total value of almost $11 million including the Unmanned Digital Twinning project. This Atlantic Canada-led project will develop an innovative product for digital twinning of underwater infrastructures, without the need for external specialists working in remote offshore locations.
With a total project value of $592 thousand, the Ocean Supercluster will provide $320 thousand with the balance coming from project partners.

In this project, Welaptega Marine, an Ashtead Technology company, with its partners Whitecap Scientific, SubC Imaging, and Nova Scotia Community College SEATAC division, will develop an intuitive bridge between Welaptega’s and Whitecap Scientific’s technology systems. Upon successful introduction of the project, conventional offshore ROV/vessel crew will be able to confidently collect high quality image data for post-processing digital twins, guided by way of real-time 3D reconstruction giving feedback on image quality and coverage.

Digital twins are increasingly used for integrity management, simulations, and general visualization of remote infrastructure. The flexible product created through this project will meet diverse client requirements by providing:
• Real-time coarse models;
• Post-processed high accuracy models;
• Fully uncrewed operations; and
• Virtual connection to offshore vessel to view operations in real-time.

Quotes:
“Canada’s oceans, the bounty in their waters, and the riches underneath them have created prosperity for generations of Canadians. Our people have expertise now that can take on the world. So, that’s what they’re doing.” – The Honourable Seamus O’Regan Jr., Minister of Natural Resources

“There is so much opportunity for growth in the ocean sector, and I am thrilled to see Atlantic businesses leading the way with innovative projects that will make lasting contributions in this area. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster has done fantastic work connecting small businesses with the networks and expertise they need to succeed in today’s economy.”– Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax

“It’s when we work together to solve shared challenges in ocean, that we achieve the greatest outcomes. We are thrilled to see small companies come together from across the region, in collaboration with academia to help bring a new digital twinning solution to ocean industries for management of infrastructure at sea with a solution built in Atlantic Canada.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster

“We’re excited to be at the forefront of transitioning high-quality digital twinning services from the domain of specialists to conventional ROV and vessel crew, and even better that we’re able to achieve this through collaboration between Atlantic Canadian companies. Demand for digital twinning services is growing exponentially. This project will result in a world-class product with strong technical advantages that will provide ongoing employment opportunities and strengthen Atlantic Canada’s export industry.” – Tyler de Gier, General Manager of Welaptega