Wärtsilä Smart Sensors

Global positioning is based on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). It is used by millions of people every day who use mobile phones and electronic devices to navigate the roads and cities.

However, everyone has experienced times when the GNSS signal is lost and the device cannot determine the exact location. This often happens when surrounded by tall buildings or structures which obstruct or deflect the satellite signal, or when the satellite signal is being deliberately blocked or spoofed. Unfortunately, this loss of signal is not limited to the shore side environment.

When precise manoeuvres are required in a marine environment, it is impossible to rely on GNSS alone. Alternative, ultra-reliable positioning technologies are required. Wartsila’s Smart Sensors based on laser, radar and camera technology can provide both local position information (where the vessel is relative to its surroundings) and situational awareness (what’s around the close vicinity of the vessel).

Wärtsilä Smart Sensor portfolio brings together technologies that assist the crew with challenging maneuvers. For example, offshore vessels that rely on dynamic positioning (DP), cruise and cargo ships entering busy ports and harbors, ferries that have autodocking enabled and harbor craft performing technically demanding and high speed maneuvers. Smart Sensor technologies can be used to assist operations to improve safety, provide precise position, situational awareness and hazard detection in an increasingly crowded marine environment.