From November 11 to November 15, 2024, the HS4U team embarked on an important mission focused on conducting environmental recordings and fostering technical collaboration aboard the MV CELESTYAL DISCOVERY. This activity, spearheaded by the LEDRA group under Work Package 5, aimed at gathering behavioural and environmental data and evaluating relevant conditions within the ship’s interior, providing a solid foundation for planning and assessing upcoming pilots activities.

During the week aboard, the team engaged in extensive discussions and preparatory work  for the design of the demo space, a key project component for testing and validating HS4U technologies in real-world settings. Through dynamic interactions and real-time scenario evaluations, partners focused on addressing potential challenges, safeguards, and fine-tuning actionable solutions. Strategic efforts also included optimising the placement of HS4U technological solutions within cabin environments, distributing questionnaires, and installing cutting-edge technologies such as coatings and sensors in communal areas to collect real-time data.

The HS4U team collaborated closely with the ship’s crew gaining invaluable insights into the HVAC/HVT and water management processes as well as the ship’s safety management protocols and visited critical ship areas such as the engine room and bridge to inspect fire and gas systems. On November 14, LEDRA led a workshop focused on refining specifications for the project’s Robot Cabin and demo space, where all partners collaboratively discussed spatial testing requirements and plan and marked the next steps for the deployment of the project’s pilot activities.

The environmental recordings and technical discussions aboard the MV CELESTYAL DISCOVERY represent a significant milestone in the HS4U project. The insights gained from interactions with international partners, the ship’s crew, and technical experts as well as hands-on data collection, technical evaluations and collaborative problem-solving will be instrumental in the design and implementation of impactful pilot activities in the forthcoming months. These interactions and efforts not only fostered knowledge exchange but also strengthened partnerships among all stakeholders involved.

Stay tuned for our next technical activities!