Bob Doncom, CEng CMarEng  FIMarEST

Academic Course Director at Lloyd's Maritime Academy

Trainer

I started working in the maritime world for a shipbuilder called Vosper Thornycroft, as a marine engineering designer back in the late 1970s, and have worked in technology areas in communications, maritime, defence, aerospace and nuclear for almost 50 years since then.

For the last decade, have specialised in complex controls and automation, including autonomy and AI technology, much of it in the defence domain.

I have supported Lloyds Register on naval and maritime ship rules in controls and software systems, and I currently provide consultancy in the nuclear power generation environment, for TÜV Rheinland in controls and instrumentation.

The growth of AI and Autonomous systems brings a huge opportunity for technology growth, and change to the way maritime engineering is undertaken, and I currently support the STEER project for the Nautical Institute, looking at how technology affects seafarers.