A new memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with the aim of creating an open source digital platform for use in the development of new ships.
The new platform, which will be developed by Rolls-Royce, The Norwegian University of Technology Science (NTNU), research organisation SINTEF Ocean and classification society DNV GL, will allow for the creation of so called “digital twins”.
A digital twin is a digital copy of a real ship, including its systems, that synthesises the information available about the ship in a digital world, creating a virtual test bench to assess the safety and performance of a vessel and its systems, both before its construction and through its lifecycle.
Asbjørn Skaro, Director Digital & Systems, Rolls-Royce – Marine said: “The platform will enable us to build digital twins of real ships, which in turn will form the basis for novel ways of designing, constructing, verifying and operating new maritime concepts and technology.”
The project partners intend to open the platform for use by other parties, with some core aspects built on an open source framework – enabling designers, equipment and system manufacturers, yards, ship owners, operators, research institutes and academia to work together to co-create and innovate together.
Following the signing of the MoU, the project partners are now working to form a steering group that will define and govern the development of the core platform system and its deployment.
