Les saken på norsk As part of the ROC project, companies from the Ocean Autonomy Cluster and NORDSEC recently visited the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’s Road Traffic Control Centre (VTS) in the Central Region of Norway. The purpose was to learn from one of Norway’s most complex control rooms and explore how technology, sensors, and operator competence can be transferred to future remote and autonomous operation centres. Control room at the Road Traffic Control Centre, Central Region. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri VTS monitors and manages traffic on national and regional roads across an entire region, around the clock. Data from sensors, cameras, and traffic alerts provide operators with real-time situational awareness for handling incidents, coordinating emergency response, and notifying relevant services. The experience offers valuable insight for the development of Remote Operation Centres (ROC) for various types of operations. Jan Petersen demonstrating an operator workstation. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Christian Nygård and Jan Petersen from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration guided the participants through VTS operations and technical infrastructure, demonstrating how sensor and data networks support decision-making and operational coordination. This provides inspiration for ROC, where remote operation and monitoring of autonomous or crewed systems can be enabled across sectors. Christian Nygård, Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri The ROC project The ROC project is developing standardized, flexible, and scalable control centres that enable operators to manage vessels and maritime systems remotely, including underwater, on the surface, in the air, and even in space. By integrating all vessel functions, from navigation to cranes and engine rooms, ROC provides a unified platform for safe, efficient, and dual-use operations while supporting the transition toward fully autonomous maritime systems. The project is carried out in collaboration with NTNU Shore Control Lab, Testination, MIDAS, the Ocean Autonomy Cluster, and Maritime Robotics. The visit to VTS gave participants concrete perspectives on how advanced sensor use, situational awareness, and operational management can be transferred to future ROC solutions, contributing to the development of robust, scalable, and secure control rooms for remote and autonomous operations. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri See also: ROC - Remote Operation Centres for next-generation maritime autonomy
Les saken på norsk How can autonomous operations become smarter and more cost-effective? This was the topic when Ocean Autonomy Cluster hosted AfterSea with TrønderROC on 22 September at Trondheim Maritime Center. The event showcased concrete plans and projects related to Remote Operation Centers (ROC) – a technology expected to play a key role in the future of maritime operations. ROC as a strategic area Frode Halvorsen from Ocean Autonomy Cluster and Testination highlighted ROC as one of the most important areas moving forward, and invited all interested actors to contribute to the development of solutions that can make offshore operations more flexible and cost-efficient. Frode Halvorsen, Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri NTNU course in ROC design Ole Andreas Alsos from NTNU Shore Control Lab (SCL) presented ongoing projects and introduced the course Design of Remote Operation Centers for Autonomous and Remotely Operated Systems, which will start in spring 2026. – Development is happening fast. Humans and machines working together is the best combination, Alsos said. Read more about the course at NTNU – the course is part of the MIDAS Academy. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri Mobile ROC under development Eirik Hovstein from Maritime Robotics shared plans to build a mobile, container-based ROC that can operate for extended periods – partially funded by Testination. – We are creating a mobile, container-based operation center that can run for long periods, Hovstein explained. Eirik Hovstein, Maritime Robotics. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri An important step on the autonomy ladder ROC represents a crucial step toward more autonomy. Even in its current form, such centers can contribute to more efficient, safe, and scalable operations for industry, research, and management. Collaboration for knowledge and innovation The event was organized by Ocean Autonomy Cluster in collaboration with NTNU Shore Control Lab, FI Ocean Space Incubator, and Maritime Forum Mid-Norway. Participants included both research environments and industry actors keen to help advance the next generation of maritime operations. Photo: Lars Bugge Aarset/Fremtidens Industri
How can we design secure, user-friendly, and efficient remote operation centers for autonomous and remotely operated systems? This course provides insight into human factors and human-centered design for safety-critical environments. You will learn to develop and evaluate user interfaces and control systems for maritime operations and other industries where remote control and automation play a key role. Through practical exercises and project work, you will gain hands-on experience applying theory to real-world design challenges. Head of Shore Control Lab, Ole Andreas Alsos. This course provides you with unique expertise in designing efficient and user-friendly control rooms, says Ole Andreas Alsos. He is head of Shore Control Lab and Associate Professor in Interaction Design in NTNU. In this course you will learn how to combine human-machine interaction, ergonomics, and technology to create safe and effective work environments. Through practical case studies and the latest research-based knowledge, you will be equipped to design control rooms that optimize both operator performance and safety, Alsos adds. Read more about: Design av fjernoperasjonssentre for autonome og fjernstyrte systemer
Remota, established in 2022, specializes in developing cutting-edge services and technologies for remote control and monitoring from Remote Operation Centers (ROC). The company is now joining the Ocean Autonomy Cluster. With a strong focus on sustainable development, Remota integrates solutions that meet the growing demand for efficiency, cost reduction, and smarter approaches in maritime operations. Increased Efficiency Through Remote Control “Through remote control and monitoring, we can increase efficiency and enable more flexible execution of maritime operations,” says Trond Notland, CPO (Chief Product Officer) at Remota. “Our services help customers reduce operational costs, enhance safety, and lower emissions. Additionally, we create safe and inclusive maritime workplaces onshore.” Remota’s technology-agnostic approach ensures robust infrastructure solutions tailored to the specific needs of its customers, regardless of their chosen technologies or industry segments. As an independent supplier, Remota provides remote services to all actors in the ocean space, believing that open collaboration and innovation are essential for driving the green and digital transformation in the maritime sector. A Future of Collaboration and Innovation With its membership in the Ocean Autonomy Cluster, Remota looks forward to contributing its expertise in communication technologies, cybersecurity, and infrastructure for remote control and monitoring. This partnership offers the company an opportunity to be a central player in collaborative projects and to promote innovation within the maritime sector. It is fantastic to have Remota onboard as a member. Remota's expertise in ROCs (Remote Operation Centers) will be of great significance to both the Ocean Autonomy Cluster and, not least, Testination, where Autonomy and Control Rooms are our focus areas. ROCs will be one of the decisive and vital components in the development of autonomous systems, says Frode Halvorsen, manager of Ocean Autonomy Cluster. Do you want to know more? Contact Trond Notland, CPO Remota AS Mobile +47 982 37 183 E-mail: trond.notland@remota.no www.remota.no