From navigational Bridge to Your Desktop

My name is Viktor Kolbasov. As a former voyage planning officer, I have spent countless hours on the bridge experiencing these challenges firsthand. I witnessed how the rich, valuable data within Electronic Navigational Charts was not being used to its full potential.

This realization, born from years of practical experience, became the key motivation for my Master's thesis and the creation of the Route Assistant prototype. My mission is to bridge the gap between raw ENC data and the modern tools that can unlock its power for navigators, captains, data scientists, and researchers.

Automated Routing, AI-Ready Graphs, Open Integration

Route Assistant is more than just software; it's an open platform designed to automate voyage planning and unlock nautical data. It transforms complex, raw ENC (S-57) data into a structured, feature-rich, and navigable graph.

Key Features:

• Automated Route Generation: Quickly compute the safest and most efficient paths using proven algorithms like A* and Dijkstra.
• Intelligent Graph Foundation: The system processes ENC layers to create a clean, navigable space, automatically filtering out land areas, obstructions, and other hazards.
• ML-Ready Architecture: It provides a feature-rich dataset designed specifically for Machine Learning workflows, allowing researchers to apply AI without first needing to master the complex S-57 format.
• Open-Source Integration: The entire pipeline is built with powerful open-source tools like GDAL, PostGIS, Python, and QGIS, ensuring accessibility and extensibility.

Built on a Foundation of Academic Research

Classic Algorithms, ML Tradeoffs

This project is not just an idea; it's the practical evolution of a Master's thesis in Autonomous Maritime Operations from Novia University of Applied Sciences.

The research successfully developed and implemented the 'Route Assistant' prototype, proving its capabilities.

Key Findings from the Research:

• A full pipeline for ENC data extraction, processing, graph construction, and route calculation was successfully developed using open-source tools.
• Traditional pathfinding algorithms like A* and Dijkstra remain highly effective and computationally efficient for structured graphs derived from ENC data.
• While Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) offer great potential, they face challenges in data representation and training complexity that currently make them less viable for standalone, onboard deployment.
• The research concludes that the prototype serves as a valuable tool for supporting navigation officers and provides a solid foundation for future development in Al-assisted voyage planning

Our Voyage Plan for 2025–2026

We have a clear, structured plan to bring the full Route Assistant suite to life. The core prototype, which represents about two-thirds of the foundational work, was completed in under a year. This campaign will fund 1.5 years of dedicated, full-time development to refine the system and deliver all rewards.

A "Call to All" for a Mariner-Centric Future

This campaign is a strategic "Call to All". It’s about more than just funding a piece of software. It’s about creating a powerful, collective voice to ensure that mariners have a say in the future of maritime innovation. We are building a movement to shift the focus of innovation to be more mariner-centric and to break down the data barriers that prevent this from happening.

To prove my dedication, I am stepping away from my €7,600/month career as a Navigation Officer to commit myself fully to this mission. With your support, we will build a tool that improves the lives of my fellow mariners, makes our seas safer, and opens the door for a new wave of innovation.

Join the Mission

We’re using Fixed Funding on Indiegogo, meaning we must reach our €100,000 goal to receive any funds. It’s an all-or-nothing approach that guarantees we will have the resources to deliver on our promises if the project is funded. If we don't meet the goal, your contribution will be automatically refunded.

Beyond the Horizon

What’s Next?

Reaching our €100,000 goal is the critical first step, guaranteeing the delivery of the core Route Assistant suite. But our vision for a truly open and innovative maritime ecosystem doesn't stop there.

Our long-term roadmap is focused on tackling some of the industry's biggest challenges. We have a clear, phased plan to:

• Bridge the Data Divide: Develop secure and compliant methods for professionals to use their official, licensed S-63 charts, and build a dedicated open-data portal for researchers and students.
• Introduce a True AI Partner: Transform the Route Assistant into an intelligent "AI Co-Pilot" that allows mariners to "chat" with their charts and publications using natural language.
• Make a Global Debut: Accelerate our timeline to showcase our community-funded project on the world stage at a major industry trade fair like SMM Hamburg.

Help us fund the core mission first. Once we reach our initial €100,000 goal, we will officially reveal the full stretch goal roadmap to bring this entire vision to life.