Buffalo Automation

American technology company

Buffalo Automation

Company type| Privately held company
Industry| Guidance, navigation and control
Founded| 2015
Headquarters|

Buffalo, New York

Area served

| North America and Europe

Key people

| Thiru Vikram (CEO)
Products| AutoMate
Services| Automation
Website| https://www.buffaloautomation.ai/

Buffalo Automation is a technology company that provides autonomous navigation products for commercial ships, recreational boats, ferries, and water taxis to enable automation and improve maritime safety.[1][2][3] It is a private company based in Buffalo, New York.[4][5] Thiru Vikram serves as the CEO of the company.[6]

## History

[edit]

Buffalo Automation was founded by Thiru Vikram, Shane Nolan, Alexander Zhitelzeyf and Emilie Reynolds, who were engineering students at the University at Buffalo.[2][7] Originating as a university research project, the group was incorporated as a Delaware C corporation in 2015.[8]

### AutoMate technology

[edit]

The company developed AutoMate, a predictive system[9] that uses artificial intelligence neural networks to coordinate and fuse data, decisions, and actions based on nautical maps, cameras, SONAR, weather sensors, thermal imaging, broadband radars, GPS, LiDAR[10] and Automatic Identification System (AIS).[11][12] The system performs autonomous identification and navigation around obstacles,[3] swimmers, and other vessels within the surrounding 24 nautical miles (28 mi).[4][8][13] In addition to navigation hazard identification and collision avoidance, the AutoMate system employs neural networks to recognize navigation signs and rules of way to maneuver in compliance with International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS), and to also interpret weather conditions for passage planning.[5][14][11]

### Autonomous ships

[edit]

The technology was claimed to improve ship fuel efficiency, which was tested in 2018 on vessels in the Great Lakes.[15][16] Fully autonomous navigation of locks was under development as of 2020.[17]

### Autonomous boats

[edit]

Initially developed as a fleet management and autopilot solution for the commercial shipping industry, the technology has since been adapted for use on recreational boats, including yachts and motorboats.[18] In early 2018, Buffalo Automation began testing a 22-foot (6.7 m) long autonomous pleasure boat made by Sea Ray, a boat manufacturer owned by the Brunswick Boat Group.[19][20]

### Mobile application

[edit]

In 2020, Buffalo Automation launched a free mobile app.[21] Designed to encourage people to experiment with and experience artificial intelligence technology that was otherwise not readily accessible to the average person at the time,[22] it operated as a self-contained offline neural network capable of detecting boats, ships, and other vessels visible to a cell phone camera.[22] The company said that the app was slated to also be used to hail Buffalo Automation's self-driving water taxis in development.[23][24]

### Autonomous ferries

[edit]

In 2021, Buffalo Automation unveiled a self-driving water taxi.[23] Fully autonomous, the vessel uses cameras, laser scanners, radar, satellite, GPS, compass information, and artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate its surroundings and pilot itself.[23] Buffalo Automation supplies the software and provides training to third party companies or organizations who build and operate these ferries.[25]

#### Unveiling in North America

[edit]

This autonomous solar and electric-powered water taxi was first demonstrated to Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon on January 7, 2021.[26] As part of the region's green urbanism efforts, as of 2021, the project was pending government approval to allow public use as a water taxi or passenger ferry in East Tennessee.[27] Upon approval, patrons would access the water taxi service using Buffalo Automation's ride-hailing app.[24]

#### Environmental, social, and governance features

[edit]

The on-board solar panels and battery used to power the ferry’s engine and AI (artificial intelligence) navigation system have a capacity of six hours and enable speeds up to 4 knots (7.4 km/h; 4.6 mph).[24] The quiet propulsion and solar-charging system provide a sustainable transport alternative, minimize marine acoustic disruption, and avoid environmental impacts associated with fuel and oil residue leaked in aquatic environments, contributing to ESG outcomes.[24]

#### European sustainable urban mobility projects

[edit]

In 2018, Buffalo Automation had expanded its operations to Europe.[28] Trials of the United Kingdom's first robot water taxis, equipped with Buffalo Automation's AutoMate autonomous navigation system, were scheduled for summer 2020 in Plymouth, UK, but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[1][29] In July 2021, an autonomous ferry began service in the Netherlands' Kagerplassen Lake District, dubbed as "Europe's first commercial robotaxi service".[30] Subsidized by funding from the South Holland provincial government, the self-propelled Vaar met Ferry service connects pedestrians and bicyclists from Warmond-Kagerzoom and Leiderdorp to the Koudenhoorn Recreation Area.[31][32][33] The ferry service was implemented as a collaboration between the Delft University of Technology, Future Mobility Network, Buffalo Automation, and the South Holland provincial government to provide a sustainable transport option and reduce crowding on the existing access bridge, as COVID restrictions have increased recreation area usage.[34][35] Passengers use Buffalo Automation's ridesharing app to hail the robotaxi.[35]

### Thermal analytics

[edit]

In 2020, Buffalo Automation repurposed its thermal imaging software to enable rapid skin temperature scanning of multiple people in a crowd to detect fever.[36] This adaptation was initiated in response to an unmet need in the health care and public health sectors created by the COVID-19 pandemic.[36] Named BiFrost, the system operated as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution, combining Buffalo Automation's convolutional neural network with existing thermal imaging equipment to rapidly report the skin temperature of different facial regions of each individual in a crowd.[37][38] In July 2020, the Bifrost Project was piloted at the entrance of the University at Buffalo Neurosurgery Center of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.[39][40]

## Funding

[edit]

Grants from SUNY and New York State business plan competition prizes helped bootstrap early activity.[6]

In 2016, Buffalo Automation secured its first private placement: US$25,000 in pre-seed investments from Launch NY and Z80 Labs. In 2018, it raised a total of $900,000 in a seed funding round led by the Jacobs family office, with Z80 making a US$100,000 follow-on investment.[2][6]

In 2020, the company raised US$650,000 through two rounds of convertible note issuance. During the second round, the University at Buffalo's Innovation Seed Fund made its inaugural venture capital investment, investing US$250,000 in Buffalo Automation.[41][17] Varia Ventures subsequently matched that US$250,000 investment.[17]

## Awards and recognition

[edit]

* In 2015, Buffalo Automation won the inaugural Buffalo Student Sandbox, an accelerator program.[42]
* In 2016, it won the University at Buffalo's Henry A. Panasci Jr. Technology Entrepreneurship Competition.[43][44] The same year, the company was nominated as a Finalist for the Innovation Award by Lloyd's List[45] and won the New York Business Plan Competition under the Information Technology/Software category.[14][43]
* In 2018, Buffalo Automation was a Semifinalist in 43 North's startup pitch competition.[46]
* In 2019, Buffalo Automation's flagship product, the AutoMate, won the second annual XCELLENCE Awards by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) for Detect & Avoid Solutions. NASA's ICAROUS placed second and Auterion's PX4 Avoidance was awarded third place.[47]
* In 2020, Buffalo Automation was listed as Five startups to watch in 2020 by Buffalo Business First.[48]
* In 2022, Buffalo Automation was listed on DarkRound magazine as one of the 101 Most Innovative Taxi Service Companies[49] and among the Best Tech Startups in Buffalo by The Tech Tribune.[50]

## See also

[edit]

* Ghost Fleet Overlord
* Mayflower Autonomous Ship
* MV Yara Birkeland
* Piranha Unmanned Surface Vessel
* Roboat
* Scout (autonomous boat)
* Sea Hunter
* Sea Machines Robotics

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Telford, William (16 Apr 2020). "Robot water taxis to be trialled by US tech giants in Plymouth". Plymouth Live. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
2. ^ a b c Caya, Chris. "Are self-navigating boats on the horizon?". NPR (Buffalo). Retrieved 2018-05-04.
3. ^ a b "AI Startup Receives $900k for Self-Driving Boats". Great Lakes Boating. 1 Apr 2018. Retrieved 2 Feb 2020.
4. ^ a b Bazan, Josh (2018-04-11). "Buffalo company leading the way in self-driving boat technology". WKBW. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
5. ^ a b "Automating Boat Travel with Buffalo Automation | Techweek". Techweek. 2018-05-09. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
6. ^ a b c Stewart, Jack (May 28, 2018). "Forget Robo-Cars and Hit the Water on an Autonomous Boat". Wired (magazine).
7. ^ "Launch NY, Z80 back self-piloting ship startup". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
8. ^ a b Dhakappa, Bhargav (May 9, 2018). "Automating Boat Travel with Buffalo Automation". TechWeek (magazine).
9. ^ Nealon, Cory (October 7, 2015). "A yacht that pilots itself". phys.org. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
10. ^ "Some Companies Working on Autonomous Boats". Nanalyze. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
11. ^ a b Lindeman, Tracey (April 18, 2018). "Autonomous Boats Will Be On the Market Sooner Than Self-Driving Cars". Vice (magazine).
12. ^ Dorsch, Jeff (3 Jun 2018). "Progress And Chaos On Road To Autonomy". SemiConductor Engineering. SMG. Retrieved 4 Dec 2019.
13. ^ "Self-driving boats might row soon". The Financial Express (India). June 10, 2018.
14. ^ a b "Buffalo Automation Raises $900,000 In Seed Round". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
15. ^ Zable, Stacey. "Shipping industry sees automation as inevitable next step in evolution" (PDF). No. August 2018. USA Today.
16. ^ Bouchard, Jay. "No Captain, No Problem: Self-Driving Boats". No. July 2016. Great Lakes Boating.
17. ^ a b c Szklany, Jessica (19 Oct 2020). "UB ventures into funding, invests $250,000 in student-founded startup". UB Now. USA. Retrieved 13 Feb 2021.
18. ^ Lehman, Joel (27 Apr 2018). "The journey to funding: Buffalo Automation's story". upstartny.org. Issue Media Group. Retrieved 2 Feb 2020.
19. ^ Levere, Douglas (September 27, 2018). "Buffalo Automation starting to scale its maritime-tech business". Buffalo Business First.
20. ^ Miner, Dan (April 1, 2016). "Buffalo TechCast (Vol. 64): The world's first self-piloted ship". Buffalo Business First.
21. ^ "The Mayday". Google Play. 2020. Retrieved 12 Oct 2020.
22. ^ a b Miner, Dan (15 Aug 2020). "Who's Your Landlord CEO on personal tragedy, business traction and his company's future". Buffalo Business First. Buffalo, NY. Retrieved 2 Sep 2020.
23. ^ a b c "Company demonstrates autonomous water taxi concept at Volunteer Landing". wbir.com. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
24. ^ a b c d "The world's first driverless water taxi has been built in Tennessee". PandoDaily. 2021. Archived from the original on 7 March 2021. Retrieved 14 Mar 2021.
25. ^ Turner, Devarrick (2022-04-10). "Self-driving water taxi stalls out in Knoxville as company struggles to find an operator". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
26. ^ "Company testing driverless water taxi service on Tennessee River". WATE 6 On Your Side. 2021-01-08. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
27. ^ Crocker, Brittany. "World's first self-driving water taxi is ready to ferry passengers in Knoxville". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 2021-01-11.
28. ^ Miner, Dan. "Buffalo Automation starting to scale its maritime-tech business". www.bizjournals.com. Buffalo Business First. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
29. ^ Lowe, Yohannes (17 Apr 2020). "Britain's first robot water taxis to be unveiled in Plymouth as US tech firm announces trial". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 20 May 2020.
30. ^ Wodecki, Ben. "Europe's first commercial robotaxi service is a yellow ferry that takes you to a Dutch golf course". AI Business. Retrieved 18 Aug 2021.
31. ^ Dragan, Otillia (30 Jul 2021). "This Solar-Powered Electric Ferry Is the First Maritime Robotaxi in Europe". autoevolution. Netherlands. Retrieved 18 Aug 2021.
32. ^ "Buffalo Automation and Future Mobility Network Launch Autonomous Ferry Service in Europe". 31 Jul 2021. Retrieved 15 Aug 2021.
33. ^ "TV: Self-propelled ferry in operation". bollenstreekomroep.nl. Netherlands. 23 Jul 2021. Retrieved 15 Aug 2021.
34. ^ "First automatic sailing ferry: Municipality of Teylingen has the scoop". Watersport TV. Warmond. 27 Jul 2021. Retrieved 18 Aug 2021.
35. ^ a b "Netherlands: Europe's first fully autonomous water taxi". New Mobility News. Netherlands. 3 Aug 2021. Retrieved 16 Aug 2021.
36. ^ a b Miner, Dan (17 May 2020). "Fast growth, hiring binges, millions in funding: Buffalo-based startups offer slivers of hope". Retrieved 20 May 2020.
37. ^ Desmond, Mike (8 Sep 2020). "Local company using thermal imaging to find a COVID fever in a crowd". NPR. USA. Retrieved 10 Oct 2020.
38. ^ Branning, Barbara (3 Sep 2020). "UB-linked startup develops technology that streamlines process of detecting fevers". UBNow. USA. Retrieved 10 Oct 2020.
39. ^ "Startup company founded by UB grads develops technology that streamlines process of detecting fevers". WNY Papers (Niagara Frontier Publications). 2 Sep 2020. Retrieved 11 Oct 2020.
40. ^ "Streamlining process of detecting fevers". www.buffalo.edu. Retrieved 2022-12-02.
41. ^ Miner, Dan (16 Oct 2020). "UB makes first venture capital investment into high-tech startup Buffalo Automation". Buffalo Business First. USA. Retrieved 13 Feb 2021.
42. ^ "Buffalo Automation Group takes top prize in Buffalo Student Sandbox accelerator". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2018-05-11.
43. ^ a b "UB-affiliated artificial intelligence startup raises $900,000 in seed round to advance driverless boat technology - University at Buffalo". www.buffalo.edu. Retrieved 2018-05-04.
44. ^ "Thiru Vikram-led Startup Wins University at Buffalo Entrepreneur Competition". India West. June 24, 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
45. ^ Miner, Dan (2016-04-04). "Self-navigating ship startup wins prestigious Panasci prize". Buffalo Business First. Retrieved 2018-05-11 - via www.bizjournals.com.
46. ^ "43North announces $5 million competition semifinalists". 43north.org. 23 July 2018. Archived from the original on 26 July 2019. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
47. ^ "Winners Named for Second Annual AUVSI XCELLENCE Awards". Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International. 2019-04-30. Retrieved 2019-07-17.
48. ^ "Five startups to watch in 2020". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
49. ^ "The 101 Most Innovative Taxi Service Companies". DarkRound. 2022-09-03. Archived from the original on 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2022-11-21.
50. ^ thetechtribune (2021-10-21). "2022 Best Tech Startups in Buffalo". The Tech Tribune. Retrieved 2024-08-17.

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