Exploring innovations in autonomous vehicles at the Exail Maritime User Conference in Amsterdam
Exail held its 7th user conference last week in the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam. The one-day conference brought together a few hundred customers, users and partners of the French manufacturer of maritime technology. The presentations focused on the use of autonomous technology for renewables, hydrospatial data acquisition, marine construction and shallow- and deep-sea exploration.
Autonomous vehicles, be it unmanned surface vehicles or ROV’s, or both, often in combination with optical or laser components and navigation, positioning and communication sensors, are gamechangers for many of the challenges that current society faces, such as security or the energy supply. Exail is a key component of the ecosystem of companies and stakeholders that is working to achieve a future in which this technology will keep large parts of the global seas safe, ensure continued energy supplies, and monitor the possible consequences of exploration.
During the closing session, a round table discussion focused on deep sea exploration and the technological challenges and innovations for autonomous vehicles, thus wrapping up the day. The backdrop of centuries of maritime history in the museum was a fitting one. Many of the delegates took the opportunity to take a quick look at the permanent exposition, especially the cartographic and navigation areas. The day was closed with drinks and a networking dinner under the beautiful roof over the museum’s courtyard. Next year’s conference will return to the Exail campus in Saint-Germain-en Lay, France, on 20 January 2026.