Halifax, NS – Today Canada’s Ocean Supercluster (OSC) announced the new, $2.5 million ocean innovation project: Tech Companion AI Search and 3D Visualization Project. This new, collaborative OSC project will help position Canada as a leader in ocean technology, increasing global competitiveness in ocean AI and stimulating economic growth.
The project is led by Modest Tree, a Nova Scotia company, in partnership with Babcock Canada (Babcock) who has operations in Halifax and is headquartered in Ottawa, ON. With a total project value of $2.5 million, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is investing approximately $1 million with the balance coming from project partners.
Modest Tree’s Tech Companion software integrates data-driven maintenance manuals and workcards with immersive 3D models and training to provide an interactive platform to plan, execute, and track inspection and maintenance work. This project will enable Modest Tree to better tailor Tech Companion features to support ocean industry assets by working with Babcock to supply the necessary data, end-user insights, and operational testing.
Through this project advancements will be made in:
Heatmaps for Maintenance Optimization:
3D Heatmap visualizations of work data enabling a clear view of current and planned work with the ability to quickly filter and review operations over time as well as predict future outcomes.
Data Visualization & Interaction:
Enhanced 3D visualization of ocean industry equipment aligned with work data, enabling users to visually engage and analyze that information. Interactive navigation, zoom, highlights, and clickable components provide intuitive access to technical details, improving comprehension and decision-making.
Marine-Optimized AI Search and Data Connectivity:
AI-powered search aligns queries with documentation, workcards, 3D Models, and training, delivering precise technical responses and easy access to information that otherwise would be challenging to search and reference.
By integrating advanced AI technologies into maritime maintenance, the project will create and maintain more than 30 direct jobs in technology development, engineering, and related fields. Additionally, the project will enhance Canada’s global competitiveness in the maritime sector and stimulate economic growth in the ocean economy by showcasing cutting-edge technologies developed by Canadian companies.
Through Ambition 2035 and together with Canada’s ocean community, we are bold in our ambition to grow Canada’s ocean economy 5X to $220 billion by 2035. Continued investment in the accelerated development and commercialization of globally relevant, made in Canada ocean solutions, including the projects announced today, will help us realize this ambition. Read more about recommendations to help achieve this transformational growth opportunity outlined in Charting the Course to 5X Growth in Canada’s Ocean Economy.
“Advanced AI technologies are at the forefront of innovation in the ocean sector in Canada and globally. Canada’s Ocean Supercluster is excited to announce the $2.5M Tech Companion Project, which will tailor existing AI technologies to the ocean sector, ensuring the continued development of ocean AI, creating ocean industry jobs, and increasing Canada’s global competitiveness all while prioritizing environmental stewardship.” – Kendra MacDonald, CEO, Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
“We are pleased to announce this Ocean Supercluster project and to collaborate with Babcock Canada to advance how technical data is accessed and understood in the ocean industry by leveraging AI and immersive 3D technology. By integrating interactive visualization, intelligent search, and heatmap visualizations, we’re enabling faster decision-making, improved efficiency, and greater operational confidence that not only impacts the project partners but the ocean economy in Canada.” – Emily Smits, CEO Modest Tree
“Babcock Canada is delighted to continue working with Modest Tree alongside the Ocean Supercluster. This partnership and investment demonstrate how the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy can enable small-medium technology enterprises to continue growing capability and capacity in key areas.” – Tony March, CEO, Babcock Canada
Media Contact
Nancy Andrews
Canada’s Ocean Supercluster
nancy.andrews@oceansupercluster.ca
