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Tim and Sara

Tim and Sara, partners and talented graduates of Creative Media and Game Technologies (CMGT), share their experiences with Project Aquabots at the Centre of Expertise HRTech on RDM, where they completed their graduation project. Aquabots are versatile, floating drones used for water quality measurements, depth measurements, and quay inspections. We asked Tim and Sara to tell us about their innovative maritime project and their future plans.

## Project Aquabots

Project Aquabots is a multidisciplinary collaboration that has existed in various forms for 14 years. Students from different programs work together with companies based at RDM, such as Sens2sea and Innoship Engineering.

## Graduating at Aquabots

"During our graduation project at RDM, we worked on renewing a maritime graphical user interface (GUI). This interface displays data with graphical elements. We focused on two parts: the engine room and navigation. For the engine room, we gathered data from sensors like the engine and tanks. Navigation used a compass as part of the system. These elements formed the interface for the navigator, engineer, or maritime officer. Additionally, there was a separate interface that places and sets graphical elements on a screen. Our task was to create a modern, user-friendly version of this maritime interface. We started from scratch, conducted extensive research, and designed a complete interface step by step, which we then programmed."

## A Valuable Lesson

"Communication with our supervisor was a valuable lesson for us. Due to miscommunication, the collaboration was initially a bit rough, but it was quickly resolved. We created a clear step-by-step plan and made good agreements. This led to weekly check-ins, ensuring everyone was always well-informed about the progress and any points of attention. This structure allowed us to collaborate effectively."

## Working Together as Colleagues and Partners

"We are in a relationship, so it was special to work together. We learned a lot about each other and our work styles. We wouldn't do it again, but it was nice to rely on each other, especially since we had the same education. Initially, we relied mainly on each other and formed connections with colleagues more slowly. This challenge made us work excellently together and trust each other's opinions. As contact with colleagues improved, we discovered who they really were and had a lot of fun in the team."

## Surprises in the Maritime Sector

"We discovered how complex and varied the requirements and wishes in the maritime sector are. The complexity and traditional systems on board offered us a unique opportunity to develop innovative solutions."

## Future Plans

"We want to work at a web agency as full-stack developers, working on both the front end and back end of systems. Working in the ICT sector of the Port of Rotterdam was a great experience because you realize you can really make a contribution and make a difference in the port."

## RDM Rotterdam

"The Innovation Dock at RDM is a special place. We made good friendships and connections here. We also really enjoyed the environment. Especially during warm days, it was wonderful to have lunch outside and watch the ships pass by. We also got a cup of coffee every day at the ID Café in the Innovation Dock. It is truly a unique internship location."

_Photo: Mick de Witte_

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Osbit and the Next Generation of Engineers

Osbit designs and builds custom solutions for tools used in the construction of offshore wind farms. They have experienced significant growth in recent years, but this story is not just about numbers and success. It’s about the people behind it, particularly a young engineer who has broadened his horizons both literally and figuratively.

## The Sea
Laurens Hoogendijk used to work as a lifeguard on the beach, gazing at the enormous seagoing vessels in the distance. His fascination with the sea led him to Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences for a minor in offshore wind. Now, at the age of 22, he is fully involved in a company that’s helping to shape the energy transition.

“I know absolutely nothing”, Laurens says modestly. “The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know. Fortunately, I have colleagues who I can ask anything.” His journey began unconventionally. While his fellow students chose Spain, Laurens went to St. Petersburg. Later, he interned in Romania at a material machining company. “That experience made me more worldly wise”, he says. But something was missing: “I missed the sea in that whole story.”

## A Minor with Major Impact
The minor in Energy Transition at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences brought change. Together with fellow student Pepijn Meuldijk, Laurens worked for six months on an innovative project: a solution to transfer foundations from one ship to another, tested in the Aqualab at the Innovation Dock. Jurgen Zijlmans, General Manager of Osbit, explains: “When we established ourselves at RDM, we immediately started collaborating with educational establishments, developing issues that students could work on. That’s how Laurens and Pepijn came to us. Impressed by their results, we hired them immediately.”

## Special Project
Laurens was soon sent on his way. He travelled to Newcastle to make contacts, then to Poland to work on a special project: a tool to install anode cages and clean foundations.

“It’s like a car wash for wind turbine foundations”, Laurens explains. “The tool places an anode cage underwater to prevent rust, then comes back up and cleans the top part with brushes so that the tall turbine tower can be neatly placed on it.”

It was all very exciting: “At one point, a component broke, and we were at risk of not being able to continue working. Fortunately, someone quickly came over from England with the right tool. As a novice engineer, you suddenly find yourself in the middle of a crisis and see how important collaboration is. And you also realize that this is part of innovation; we’re building prototypes, it’s never been done before.”

## What Does Osbit Do?
“We are in offshore wind”, says Jurgen. “We make things that don’t exist yet, on request. From gangways to complex things like installation tools that can also clean turbine foundations.”

“If it doesn’t exist and you can’t buy it off the shelf, then it’s something for us”, he continues. “We draw on our 15 years of experience, but everything we do is unique. It’s always about equipment for the installation of wind farms – tools to lift turbine components, to bury cables – basically everything that’s needed.”

After 15 years in Newcastle, the English company Osbit consciously chose to expand to Rotterdam, and after a few years in the centre, they moved to RDM. “Here, we literally breathe the industry. The maritime atmosphere, important companies, and a pool of talent around the corner. Historically, it also makes sense; RDM, like our location in Newcastle, is connected to the maritime background.”

## Multiple Transitions
For Laurens, everything revolves around transitions: from student to professional, from fossil to sustainable. “As a student, I became increasingly aware of the need for the energy transition during lectures. It became clearer, also through what I read in the news: Shell decided not to fully commit to the energy transition. That shocked me because it’s about our future.”

He consciously chose Osbit: “Here, they really want to work towards a cleaner planet. Instead of working for the big fossil players, I can contribute to a sustainable future here.”

## An Ocean of Opportunities
“There’s an ocean of things I can learn here”, Laurens says enthusiastically. “That’s what makes it fun. It keeps me curious and motivated to continue discovering and pushing my boundaries. It keeps me sharp!”

Laurens Hoogendijk is a young engineer who not only connects wind turbines with the sea but also education with innovation and talent with opportunities. Laurens’ story shows what collaboration between education and business can achieve. And all thanks to a fascination with the horizon, a hands-on minor, and a company that dares to invest in the next generation.

_Photography: Mick de Witte_

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Nils van Dijk

Meet Nils van Dijk, a third-year Water Management student at Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Nils is currently interning at the CoE HRTech, where he focuses on plastics and energy along the riverbanks.

## First Contact

Nils came into contact with CoE HRTech through a job posting on the internal website of Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences. Looking for an internship, he read the posting and decided to apply immediately. During the interview, the assignment was explained in detail, and it immediately appealed to him.

## Internship

Nils' internship focuses on analyzing plastic waste along the riverbanks. Every year, measurements are taken by Rijkswaterstaat, and maps are created from the findings. His task is to investigate whether there are trends in the data from recent years. He identified hotspots by analyzing previous data and then spent a week on a boat visiting these locations to collect samples. He then analyzed these samples to determine what types of waste were present and what this reveals about the environment and its users.

## Interesting Finds

During his research, Nils found a lot of industrial plastic, such as styrofoam and helmets, in the port of Rotterdam. In the Biesbosch, however, he found many bottles from recreational users. These kinds of findings provide insight into the different types of pollution and help develop effective approaches.

## Future Plans

Recently, Nils was asked if he would like to continue working one day a week after his internship, which he is likely to do because he enjoys working in the field. Nils is particularly interested in how water management and innovation come together here. In the future, he would like to work on projects focused on water management and safety.

## Nils and RDM

Nils describes RDM as an inspiring place full of opportunities for students. He almost always travels to his internship by scooter, a ride of about fifteen minutes. If the weather is bad, he takes public transport, a journey of about forty minutes. Additionally, Nils and his colleagues are regularly found on the padel court or in the RDM Canteen for lunch.

## Learned a Lot

Nils has learned a lot during his internship, especially by participating in events such as the COP, where companies, port authorities, the municipality, and the university come together to tackle the plastic problem. By attending these events, he meets many new people and sees how they present their projects. This has given him a lot of insight into how data can be collected automatically and how different solutions are developed.

Project Aquabots

Graduating at Aquabots

A Valuable Lesson

Working Together as Colleagues and Partners

Surprises in the Maritime Sector

Future Plans

RDM Rotterdam

Other news

Nils van Dijk

Osbit and the Next Generation of Engineers