KTN Innovation Exchange challenge - ride-height and actuation sensing

A new challenge on KTN’s Innovation Exchange has been launched with Artemis Technologies, an applied technology spin off from the successful Artemis Racing America’s Cup team. The company was set up to commercialise the hydro-foiling and tool chain intellectual property developed by the team over the past seven years. The company provides engineering services to high-performance and commercial clients, as well as developing unique products, like the world’s most advanced maritime simulators. Utilising world class skills in simulation, lightweight structure engineering, electronics, hydraulics, aerodynamics and hydrodynamics, the Artemis Technologies team has been developing new green technologies with various maritime applications and strives to deliver real innovation to its customers through unique solutions and products.

Artemis Technologies is developing a zero emission passenger ferry to address both the International Maritime Organization (IMO) targets to achieve a reduction of 50% in carbon dioxide by 2050 and the UK’s commitment to achieve Net Zero within the same timescale.

Artemis Technologies is the lead partner of the Belfast Maritime Consortium who recently were awarded a UKRI Strength in Places grant to help develop their electric propelled hydrofoil vessel. This Innovation Exchange challenge seeks to find solution providers to help improve the autonomously controlled active ride characteristics of this innovative vessel

Central to the vessel design are the hydrofoils which are precisely engineered to lift the vessel out of the water at cruising speed and maximise drag reduction. Maintaining the correct ride-height is paramount to efficient vessel operation therefore Artemis Technologies is looking for an innovation partner to develop and supply suitable technologies that can measure the ride-height of the vessel during operation and feed information to the actuation mechanisms to keep the vessel deployed at the most-efficient height.

Entrants should consider the unique operation of the e-foiler vessel when submitting their applications. At low speeds (<20 knots) the vessel will operate in hull-mode in which it behaves like a normal vessel and the hull is in contact with the water however, at high speeds (>20  knots) the vessel will operate in hydrofoil mode and only the hydrofoils will be in contact with the water.

Solutions must be able to detect wave-height and subsequently the height of the vessel which then should inform the actuation mechanism of the adjustments needed to maintain optimum height as part of the automated vessel control.

We would expect solutions to consider the wave height and trough following the wave so that the hydrofoils maintain their position underwater without the boat causing vertical forces that may damage the hydrofoils in use at cruising speed.

If data can be proven to be reliable, outside sources from nearby wave height systems may be considered with the data fed into the vessel telemetry. In both cases average wave-height data could be considered to keep the hull stable with micro-adjustments to the foils.

Rewards and benefits

Successful applicants will be given an opportunity to pitch to the challenger. The package may also include:

• Support from KTN and relevant Catapults
• Support in the development of a prototype or pilot
• A place in KTN or Innovate UK events
• A potential business collaboration
• Links to investors (if required)

If you have an innovative solution, find out more and apply at KTN’s Innovation Exchange here.