The grant will fund an initiative that leverages cutting-edge technology to advance the Massachusetts oyster industry
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A UMass Dartmouth team spanning the School for Marine Science and Technology, the College of Engineering, and the Charlton College of Business recently received a $1.4M grant from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative to create a “digital twin” for the MA shellfish aquaculture industry.
A digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical system. Using state-of-the-art tools like smart sensors, autonomous vehicles, and predictive artificial intelligence, the digital twin will provide real-time data insights for oyster growers about their operations, allowing them to make proactive management decisions. Beyond increasing shellfish aquaculture productivity, safety, and sustainability, the digital twin system also aims to turn data into a consumer-facing narrative that will position Massachusetts oysters as a premium sustainable seafood product.
“This academic/industry partnership is a key part of our mission at UMass Dartmouth as a public university,” said Professor of Estuarine & Ocean Sciences Miles Sundermeyer. “It is especially important as many of these growers are small businesses who may not otherwise have the resources to invest in this level of data collection and analysis.”
The team responsible for this project includes Sundermeyer and Assistant Professor Micheline Labrie of SMAST, who will lead work in marine technology and robotics through the use of autonomous vehicles and smart sensors, as well as collaboration with local oyster growers and industry groups; Associate Professor Yuchou Chang of the Department of Computer and Information Science, who will provide expertise in artificial intelligence; Associate Professor Cathy Curran and Assistant Teaching Professor David Bell of the Charlton College of Business, contributing expertise in economic development, growth, and competitiveness; and external collaborator Seaweave, a marine technology company specializing in advanced machine vision, smart sensing, and artificial intelligence for aquaculture and fisheries monitoring. The project will also provide research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students from various disciplines.
Working at the intersection of aquaculture, marine technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence, the digital twin system will serve not only as a next-generation management tool, but also as a multidisciplinary innovation engine for Massachusetts’ blue economy spanning marine science technology, business development, and machine learning/AI.
Ultimately, the project will strengthen the Commonwealth’s blue economy, create new business opportunities, and advance Massachusetts’ position as a national leader in sustainable marine innovation.