Growing up on the coast of Trøndelag, Frode Halvorsen developed an affection for the ocean and maritime technology. Now, he wants to make marine operations more effective and help the maritime and digital industry to radicalize the way we transport passengers and goods.

– Norway is a maritime superpower, and Trondheim and Trøndelag is Norway’s hub for expertise on ocean autonomy. We hold the comparative advantages to further assert ourselves on the international market, says Halvorsen.

Through the Ocean Autonomy Cluster, Halvorsen wish to help commercialize the cutting-edge research and development done by the cluster members and increase the number of new start-ups and spin-offs within the industry.

– By working long-term on opening up the rules and regulations framework, we will gradually be able to commercialize the all the autonomous systems and technologies that are being developed by our members. This will further accelerate R&D and innovation on autonomous solutions for ocean space and completely radicalize the way we navigate and transport passengers and goods along the waterway, says Halvorsen.

– The cluster is comprised of several companies and institutions who are leaders in their fields, such as NTNU, SINTEF, Kongsberg and DNV GL, as well as entrepreneurs, startups and spin-offs such as Maritime Robotics, Blueye Robotics and Zeabuz, to name a few. The cluster’s combined amount of expertise and know-how from both companies and R&D institutions is key to establishing Norway as a world leader on ocean autonomy.

Halvorsen holds a master’s degree in Strategy and International Business Development from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and has previously worked for Trondheim Maker Faire to strengthen the position of technology and innovation in education. Before he stepped in as our new Cluster Manager, Halvorsen worked as Project Manager at NTNU’s Centre for Engaged Education through Entrepreneurship (NTNU Engage), where he developed and managed innovation projects in collaboration with the industry.

He has also developed an educational DIY ROV kit, the eduROV, for anyone interested in creating their own submersible remote controlled vehicle. The project later became part of a PhD thesis at NTNU. See how the eduROV concept works here: