English
Today, the Port of Riga has hosted the first demonstration of innovative marine technologies developed in Latvia – “5G Solutions for the Digitalization of the Maritime Sector”. At the opening of the region's largest technology forum, Techritory, autonomous marine drones and boats developed in Latvia, air and land drones, as well as unique data transmission platforms using technology integration and secure data transmission in the 5G network were presented to participants and foreign media representative. These products and technological solutions significantly improve the efficiency of maritime and port operations, as well as promote port safety and sustainability both on water and on land. Furthermore, these technologies showcase the ability of Latvian companies to create innovative products and solutions with significant export potential.
The presentation was attended by Latvia's leading mobile communications and technology company LMT, the Freeport of Riga Authority, and the port technical service provider LVR Flote, together with technology partners SUBmerge Baltic, Beyron, Spark Technologies, and Riga Technical University. The purpose of the event was to demonstrate how smart technologies - private 5G networks, IoT (Internet of Things) solutions, autonomous systems, and real-time data exchange - are being transformed from pilot projects into full-scale products of Latvian companies.
The demo day took place at the Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in the Port of Riga, where the first private 5G network in the Baltics, created by LMT, is in operation. During the event, LMT presented the capabilities of the private 5G network, ensuring data transmission at the terminal, as well as the use of IoT sensors and cameras for company security and operational efficiency.
In the framework of the event the LMT 5G Core solution was presented, highlighting the possibility of installing LMT 5G Core aboard ships, ensuring real-time transfer of large amounts of data and uninterrupted 5G connectivity at sea. This technology is the basis for the first known 5G connectivity solution at sea, which LMT demonstrated in the Port of Riga in the summer of 2024 in cooperation with LVR Flote. Last year, the project “Continuous 5G Connectivity Solution in the Baltic Sea” received the prestigious International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH) Sustainability Award in the “Digitalization” category.
Using the capabilities of LVR Flote's new multifunctional vessel LAURA, the delivery and launching of floating drones and autonomous vessels was demonstrated in cooperation with partners. The equipment on board the LAURA makes it possible not only large objects to be moved, lifted and immersed into the water, but also unmanned vessels, thus ensuring flexible, multimodal maritime services. The technical capabilities and equipment of the vessel open up opportunities for the port technical service provider LVR Flote to form new partnerships and offer innovative services, including to the national defence sector.
LVR Flote boasted modern and effective hydrographic or depth measurement option using the Baltic's first floating unmanned vehicle or drone USV OTTER and 5G capabilities, which can transmit and process large amounts of measurement data in real time. To improve the data processing, LVR Flote is also collaborating with RTU to develop and implement automation tools for filtering measurement data. This approach to hydrographic surveying saves time, reduces fuel consumption and human resource involvement, and improves accuracy and service delivery efficiency.
Meanwhile, the autonomous boat SPARK Bot, created by Spark Technologies, is a fully electric, composite-material vessel with an AI vision and navigation system that enables real-time decision making. SPARK Bot is capable of performing tasks on water without human presence, reducing risk in dangerous situations, saving resources, and improving data accuracy and work efficiency. During the demonstration, the boat was controlled from a remote control centre at RTU, operating autonomously according to GPS coordinates while fulfilling the assigned mission. SPARK Bot is designed as an open technology platform and can be adapted to the needs of various industries - security and defence, environmental monitoring, port infrastructure surveying and navigation support, as well as rescue operations and goods transportation.
Latvian company SUBmerge Baltic, which develops intelligent underwater systems for maritime safety, infrastructure surveillance, and environmental monitoring, has demonstrated today the teleoperation of an underwater drone using a 5G network. This technology allows underwater work to be carried out remotely, significantly reducing logistics costs. At the same time, underwater acoustic monitoring systems were presented, which are already deployed in Baltic ports and provide real-time data analysis on the movement of vessels and other objects in the water area.
The start-up SIA R2M Dynamics, owner of the Beyron trademark, has developed a 5G drone solution as part of the EU-funded 5G4LIVES project - a drone and drone nest that combines Beyron autonomous drone platforms with the capabilities of the LMT 5G network. Using real-time video, thermal imaging, and artificial intelligence analysis, the drone can be used for rapid crisis detection and resolution in various industries. On the demo day at the Port of Riga, an operational survey of the port infrastructure was demonstrated using a drone equipped with a computer vision solution.
Information for media
- [email protected], +371 670 308 53
- Freeport of Riga Authority
- 12 Kalpaka blvd, Riga, Latvia, LV-1010
