Navis launches operational innovation lab

Headed by Navis’ Oscar Pernia, the unit will concentrate on developing prototyping solutions in collaboration with customers.
Known as ATOM, the laboratory will have eight staff, led by Dr Pernia. There are plans to increase the headcount in 2017 depending on the different products in development.

“We know today 25% of what data can do for the industry,” said Dr Pernia. “I’ve seen huge evolution in the last five years in the industry with shippers pushing for real time data and better visibility.

“The technology is in place to deliver this, but there are constraints with data in the industry – data standardisation is one such constraint. To get to 100% will take time, but the industry is ready to go and is calling for change.”

An assessment of the automation experience of 24 customers undertaken by Dr Pernia revealed that operational and technical expertise are the two main constraints of successful automation of container terminals. While the main focus of ATOM will be automation, software strategies and data will also fall under the unit’s remit.

“At ATOM, we will focus on prototyping solutions, creating pilots to leverage the knowledge we have to create future products,” Dr Pernia said. “Personally I’m really excited. So far, we have found really interesting collaborations with customers that want to work with Navis to prototype next generation solutions.”

Navis describes the unit as an incubator of ideas and prototypes which will feed into product development.