Latvian company develops prototype of portable communication controller

InPass, a Latvian innovation company, has built a prototype of a unique measuring device. The communication controller is part of the system that controls ship emissions, reducing the release of harmful exhaust gases into the atmosphere. InPass developed the new, portable device as part of the international Ultra-Portable continuous emission monitoring system (UP-CEMS) project. 

The communication controller is part of an innovative continuous emissions measurement system (CEMS). “Unlike currently available CEMS systems, the new equipment will be portable and easy to use. Existing models are stationary, heavy and complex laboratory-type instruments, which require in-depth knowledge to use. With the European Union planning to limit shipping emissions by 50% by 2050, a significant demand for such equipment is expected,” explains Raivis Ekšteins, CEO of InPass. Work on the controller first began in 2021, Labs of Latvia reported. 

Collaborates with local university

The communication controller developed by the InPass technical team is necessary to ensure communication with the other measuring devices involved in the system. It will be tasked with collecting data and storing it on a server, so that it can be analysed. The Faculty of Science and Engineering at Liepāja University was also involved in developing the device, carrying out mathematical calculations and tests to ensure its accurate performance.

International project with partners from Latvia and Denmark
The UP-CEMS project partners are InPass, the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Liepāja University, the Danish National Metrology Institute and lead partner Instrumatic Marine, a Danish manufacturer of environmental monitoring devices. The project is taking place under the Eurostars-2 programme and co-funded by the Latvian Science Council and the Danish Innovation Fund (IFD). Eurostars-2 is a joint programme of the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme and the EUREKA Secretariat that supports the development of innovative products, services or technologies by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Company focused on innovation

InPass dates back to 2017 when it was founded by Raivis Ekšteins and Kaspars Golts. Initially, the company focused on helping others measure the productivity of different machines, process the data and ensure the continuous monitoring of systems, wrote Labs of Latvia. Now, they work in several directions, including automation.

Most of InPass’ customers are manufacturers. The company prides itself on bespoke solutions. “Our advantage is that we can adapt to the situation very quickly. If a client tells us what they want, we don’t say no – we try to evaluate what our options are. And if we build something new, we immediately try to adapt it to the vision of the future. We make sure that it is not the same as the solutions provided by other companies. Sometimes, when an add-on is being developed, it is automatically added to other solutions. This gives customers additional features for free,” Ekšteins previously told Labs of Latvia.

Author: Lelde Beņķe (labsoflatvia.com). Photo: Shutterstock.