| | DECEMBER 202119CIOReviewBuffalo Automation's journey in creating a unique niche in the marine industry began by developing a first-of-its-kind automated emergency braking system for speedboats. With the help of a camera mounted on the boat, the solution detects obstacles and provides emergency braking, even if the operator is not paying attention. A few months down the line, the company added an accident warning system into its portfolio, which detects and reports accidents occurring in its premises. Buffalo Automation then used its expert set of hands to replace conventional radar-based autopilot systems with its AI-powered solutions, providing vessels with an efficient and comprehensive perception of their surroundings. What gives the firm a competitive edge is its in-depth know-how in data analytics, image processing, and AI. "Our flagship product Greycraft is a solar-powered electric vessel that allows fully autonomous and unmanned operation as well as mooring lineless docking," says Vikram. Designed as an accessible and sustainable vehicle for urban water taxi or bareboat rental purposes, it serves as the natural fit for those who are unable to afford or operate a boat to enjoy waters. People can use the company's Mayday app to summon and operate the vessel. Greycraft's modular construction allows it to be customized and rebuilt at any deployment site, making it a more practical option as a survey, patrol, reconnaissance, amphibious assault, and mine countermeasures vessel. Using solar-charged batteries reduces the overall operational and maintenance cost while ensuring pollution-free sailing. Elaborating on Buffalo Automation's value proposition, Vikram recalls their collaboration with Algoma, a leading shipping firm based in the Great Lakes region. The company helped them automate and increase the safety of their shipping operations by leveraging AutoMate, its advanced sensor system that uses AI to provide situational awareness and decision support for commercial ships. In another instance, Buffalo Automation helped Future Mobility Network, a Dutch-based organization to launch a water-taxi service in the Netherlands by providing its Greycraft technology. Such instances of success manifest Buffalo Automation's dedication to building solutions that really add value to the marine industry. "We pride ourselves on a culture of innovation reinforced by the Pareto principle, helping us explore out-of-the-box use cases for our core technology," adds Vikram. The company is also recognized for its TeleMate technology that provides teleoperation and remote monitoring from a mobile control station or onshore remote console instead of having safety drivers within the vessel. Moving ahead, Buffalo Automation is strategizing to extend its footprint by acquiring more customers and democratizing its technology further. It is also pushing its boundaries of innovation to introduce the `Tesla element' in the marine industry by launching electric self-driving boats. "This way, we intend to provide people with a convenient and reliable sailing experience while spreading the message of environment friendliness," concludes Vikram. We specialize in providing autonomous navigation, situational awareness, decision support, remote monitoring, data analytics, and cloud-based fleet management platforms for the marine industry
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