THE TRUSST PROJECT

How can we build trust in complex, autonomous mobility systems? 
This is the key question behind the research project called “TRUSST – Assuring Trustworthy, Safe and Sustainable Transport for All”.
The primary objective of TRUSST is to innovate an integrated assurance framework that transforms a complex and interdependent system of people, technology, organisations and the natural environmental into a trust ecosystem. The pilot ferry milliAmpere 2 (mA2) owned by NTNU and the Zeabuz mobility system is used as a reference case for iterative development and application of the new framework. As shown by the dotted line in the infographic below, the mobility system includes not only the autonomous ferries, but also the docking/charging stations, the communication network, the remote support centre, and the integrated digital twin. 
Delivery of assurance requires innovation as these assets have become highly complex, software intensive systems, incorporating Artificial Intelligence that gives the system a new kind of agency and responsibility. Since these systems will be changing throughout their life-cycle they will require effective means to deliver continuous assurance. The assurance approach must also attend to ethical dilemmas and engage with citizens to provide societal trust.
In sum, the project innovates digital assurance concepts that integrate methods, tools, simulation-based testing, use of digital twins, full-scale testing, citizen engagement methodologies and environmental impact assessment.
This with the purpose to transparently provide trustworthiness to all stakeholders, and in turn unlock the potential for scaling up autonomous and sustainable transport solutions through a Trust Ecosystem.
TRUSST is an industrial research project led by DNV GL, with Zeabuz and Marine Technologies as industry partners and NTNU as research partner, and will run through Q2 2023. It is partially funded by the Research Council of Norway under grant number 313921. The project also has a reference group consisting of the Norwegian Maritime Authorities, Torghatten and Trondheim Kommune. Sub-suppliers Missions Publiques and Terravera will assist with citizen engagement and assessment of impacts on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, respectively.