Transforming Port Operations
with Autonomous Solutions
Introduction
In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the security of criticalinfrastructures such as ports has become more crucial than ever.
However, the complexity and volume of operations in these hubs present significant challenges,
including congestion, delays, and inefficiencies, which directly impact global trade. Traditional
methods of managing port operations have struggled to keep pace with the growing demands
for speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Furthermore, the environmental impact and sustainability ofport operations have come under scrutiny, pressing the need for innovative solutions to optimize
logistics, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance operational transparency.
With the rise of autonomous technologies, there is a growing opportunity to enhance security
measures through innovative solutions that leverage the power of autonomy, artificial
intelligence, and edge computing. At the forefront of this technological revolution are companies
like Nearby Computing and Unmanned Life whose collaboration is poised to redefine autonomous
security solutions for ports. Unmanned Life specialises in autonomous drone orchestration, while
Nearby Computing offers an innovative edge-to cloud automation/orchestration platform.

With this collaboration, customers can expect a seamless and efficient security solution that not
only addresses the complexities of port security but also delivers tangible benefits such as realtime monitoring, threat detection, and incident response.
The Nearby Computing solution automates and manages the infrastructure, network, andapplication complexities, allowing Unmanned Life to focus on the critical payload and mission
management of the deployed drones.
By focusing on managing complexity while maximizing the benefits of autonomous drone
applications, Unmanned Life and Nearby Computing are paving the way for safer and moresecure port operations.

Challenges to be faced

Asset Managementand Tracking

Interoperabilityand Standardization

Infrastructure
Maintenance and Reliability

Ports manage a diverse range ofassets, including ships, containers,
vehicles, and equipment. Effective
tracking and management of theseassets are essential for optimising
port operations, ensuring efficient
movement, and minimisingdelays. Implementing advanced
technologies such as Radiofrequency identification (RFID) andGlobal Positioning System (GPS) can
enable real-time monitoring andenhance asset visibility.

Ports involve a complex
ecosystem with various
stakeholders, including shipping
companies, logistics providers,and regulatory bodies. The
lack of standardisation
across different systems andtechnologies can hinder theseamless integration of edge
computing and automateddevices.

Ports rely on a complex
infrastructure comprisingterminals, berths, cranes, andother equipment to facilitatecargo handling and vessel
operations. Aging infrastructure
can lead to increased
maintenance needs, equipment
failures, and potential disruptionsin port operations. Regular
maintenance and modernization
efforts are essential to ensure
the reliability and functionality ofport infrastructure.

Scalabilityand Flexibility

Data Securityand Privacy

Real-Time Data
Processing and Analysis

Ports must be able to scale
their operations efficiently tohandle varying volumes ofcargo without compromising on
efficiency or security. Traditional
IT infrastructure may not offer therequired scalability or flexibility tosupport dynamic operations.

Implementing edge
computing solutions involves
processing and storing
sensitive data at the edgeof the network, which canpose significant security andprivacy risks. The increasedattack surface and thepotential vulnerability ofdevices to cyber threats need
to be meticulously managed.

The effectiveness of automatedrobots and drones relies
heavily on real-time dataprocessing and decisionmaking capabilities. Delays or
inaccuracies in data analysis
can lead to operational
inefficiencies or safety risks.

Joint Value Proposition: Seamless Security Solutions
The collaborative efforts between Unmanned Life and Nearby Computing signify a strategic
alliance aimed at revolutionising port security through a comprehensive autonomous
drone solution. This joint solution is designed to reduce the complexities that result fromcombining networks such as 5G, infrastructure such as public and private clouds, andapplications such as drone management, providing operators with a streamlined andeffective security system.
Focused on simplifying complexity Nearby Computing assumes responsibility for network
management, ensuring robust connectivity, scalability, and high availability. Meanwhile,Unmanned Life remains committed to delivering tangible benefits through autonomous drone
applications, including security, situational awareness, emergency response and inspections.

Functionality Delivered to Customers from UnmannedLife’s Autonomous Drone Solutions
Unmanned Life’s autonomous drone solutions offer customers a suite ofcapabilities aimed at enhancing security and operational efficiency:

01

02

Unmanned Life’s solution featuresautonomous fleet orchestration,
allowing for seamless coordination andmanagement of multiple drones withina fleet. Through advanced algorithms
and intelligent autonomy, the system
optimises fleet deployment, routing, andtask allocation, maximizing efficiency
and coverage for enhanced security
operations.

Customers are equipped with robust
mission control capabilities, enabling
seamless planning, execution, andmonitoring of drone missions from acentralised command centre. Intuitiveinterfaces and advanced planning
tools empower customers to define
flight paths, set mission parameters,
and analyse real-time data streams
for informed decision-making and swift
response to emerging threats.

0304

Autonomous Fleet
Orchestration

Data Management

Advanced data management
capabilities enable customers to collect,
store, and analyse data gathered by
the drones. Organizing and categorizing
data streams, performing analytics, andgenerating actionable insights support
data-driven decision-making andoptimization of security strategies.

05Mission Control
Capabilities

Artificial Intelligence
Capabilities

Unmanned Life is empoweringdrones to perform complex tasks withprecision and intelligence. AI algorithms
enable drones to adapt to changing
environments, identify patterns,
and make autonomous decisions inreal-time. This enhances situationalawareness, responsiveness, and overall
effectiveness in addressing security
challenges.

Thermal Camera, andNight Vision

Utilizing thermal cameras, and night vision technology enhances surveillancecapabilities, enabling detection and monitoring of intruders and security threats evenin low light or adverse weather conditions. Analyse thermal and visual data to identify
anomalies and potential security breaches, further augmenting security effectiveness.

NearbyOne Features

Nearby Computing introduces a robust ecosystem of solutions
engineered to cater to the intricate demands of port environments.
These solutions encompass:

01

Multi-cloud, Multi-site Platform
with Centralized Control
Dashboard

Nearby Computing’s platform boasts
a multi-cloud, multi-site architecturecomplemented by a centralizedcontrol dashboard. Port operators
can effortlessly manage all sites
through a unified interface, overseeing
infrastructure, applications, andconnectivity with unparalleled ease.

02

Intent-based
Orchestration Engine

At the heart of Nearby Computing’s
solutions lies an intent-based
orchestration engine. This engine
facilitates the management of multicloud deployments, infrastructure
resources, and virtualized functions(xNFs), ensuring seamless operation
across diverse environments.

03

04

Nearby Computing offers
comprehensive lifecycle management
capabilities, including rollout androllback of software versions, automaticor manual updates, and maintenanceof software and hardware. Thesefunctionalities streamline thedeployment and maintenance of
critical systems, enhancing operational
efficiency and reliability.

Port operators benefit from Nearby
Computing’s full observability stack,powered by standard open-sourcecomponents such as Prometheus,Grafana, Elasticsearch, and Kibana.
This stack provides real-time insights
into system performance, enabling
proactive monitoring, troubleshooting,and optimization.

05

06

Runs on top of Kubernetes deployed as aHelm chart (on-prem K8s, ROSA, ARO, GKE).

Nearby Computing simplifies
configuration management througha unified interface, allowing port
operators to configure multiple
vendor applications via API or UI. This
streamlined approach enhances agilityand flexibility in managing diverse
infrastructure components.

Advanced Lifecycle
Management

NearbyOne framework is cloudhosted or can run on-premise07

Role-based Access Control(RBAC) and High Availability(HA) Support

Observability Stackas a Service

Unified Configuration
Management

Nearby Computing’s RBAC framework ensures full multi-tenancy support, while HA
mode and federation capabilities guarantee uninterrupted operation and fault
tolerance even in the most demanding environments.

Use Case Example: Private 5G Fleet of Drones
In this use case example, we explore a joint solution developed by Unmanned Life and Nearby
Computing for deploying a fleet of drones through a private 5G network to enhance security
operations in a port environment. This example showcases the collaborative efforts of bothcompanies and the architecture of the joint solution, highlighting the contributions of Nearby
Computing and Unmanned Life and the resulting benefits for port operators.

Joint Solution Architecture
The joint solution developed by Unmanned Life and Nearby
Computing comprises a comprehensive architecture tailored tothe unique requirements of port security.

Ports Architecture with Drone Management
Container terminal

Cloud

Edge node

Drones

4G/5G
Edge controller

Local connectivity
CameraAnalytics aggregation
Drone control & analytics

Port and container terminal
Router/firewallNearby Computing Contribution
Nearby Computing plays a crucial role in providing the underlying
infrastructure and management capabilities necessary for thedeployment of the fleet of drones over private 5G. This includes:• Setting up the networking infrastructure to support 5G connectivity for the drones• Implementing a centralized control system for managing and monitoring the fleet of drones.
• Providing advanced analytics and reporting capabilities for assessing security threats andoptimizing operations.

Unmanned Life Contribution:
Unmanned Life focuses on delivering the autonomous drone technology
and applications that form the core of the solution. This includes:• Developing the software algorithms for autonomous navigation, surveillance, and response.
• Integrating sensors and payloads onto the drones for collecting real-time data and imagery.
• Implementing mission planning and control software for orchestrating the actions of the drone fleet.

Conclusion and Future Outlook
The collaboration between Unmanned Life and Nearby Computing
represents a groundbreaking advancement in port security. Byleveraging their combined expertise, innovative technologies, andcustomer-centric approach, they have developed a powerful solutionthat integrates autonomous drone technology with cutting-edge edge
computing infrastructure.
The joint solution offers a unique value
proposition to port operators by seamlessly
integrating hardware, software, and networking
components. It provides a comprehensive andefficient means of safeguarding port facilities
and assets, automating surveillance, improving
situational awareness, and enabling rapid
response to security threats.
One of the key competitive advantages ofthis joint solution lies in its ability to scaleefficiently, ensuring seamless deployment andmanagement of autonomous drone operations
across diverse port environments. Moreover,its resilience to disruptions and adaptability to

evolving security requirements set it apart in
the market, offering port operators a reliable
and future-proof solution for their security
needs.
As the landscape of port security continues
to evolve, the collaboration between
Unmanned Life and Nearby Computing stands
as a testament to the power of innovation,
collaboration, and technology in addressing
the security challenges faced by modernports. With a commitment to excellence anda focus on delivering tangible benefits to port
operators, they pave the way for a safer, moresecure future for ports around the world.

About Unmanned life
Unmanned Life offers a software platform to deploy, control, andorchestrate different types of robotic devices (drones, legged robots,
autonomous mobile robots, and more) as intelligent, autonomous
fleets.
Their security product USecurity is an application extended by theplatform, designed to connect and deploy autonomous drones forsecurity surveillance and inspection of facilities.
With features such as 5G connectivity, autonomous charging, thermal
imaging, AI decision-making, and more, U-Security delivers real-time,remote surveillance capabilities through a simple user interface.

About NearbyComputing

The company was founded in 2018 and operates globally fromits headquarters in Barcelona, Spain as global leader in Edge
Orchestration.
Nearby Computing has been Named a 2023 Gartner Cool Vendor inEdge Computing and helps Telcos & Enterprise customers unleash
the potential of Edge Computing through Orchestration andAutomation of MEC and 5G.
NearbyOne is an orchestration platform that goes beyond market
standards to manage all tiers of the network, from Cloud andData Centre to Edge, from a single pane of glass. Using a crossdomain approach that is fully agnostic, NearbyOne manages
hybrid networks at scale through domain-specific as well ascomprehensive end-to-end orchestration. The solution covers
all critical elements of deployment automation - from the initial
Edge node provisioning to application on-boarding, to lifecycle
management and LA monitoring.

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