Robotics & Automation News

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boats

Electric Future: MIT showcases electric autonomous boat technology

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If you like the idea of zero-emissions travel on the water, an electric autonomous boat might be the right mode of transportation for you.

Scientists from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Senseable City Laboratory, together with Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute) in the Netherlands, have been showcasing the final project in their self-navigating trilogy: a full-scale, fully autonomous robotic boat that’s ready to be deployed along the canals of Amsterdam.

“Roboat” has come a long way since the team first started prototyping small vessels in the MIT pool in late 2015. Last year, the team released their half-scale, medium model that was 2 meters long and demonstrated promising navigational prowess.

This year, two full-scale Roboats were launched, proving more than just proof-of-concept: these craft can comfortably carry up to five people, collect waste, deliver goods, and provide on-demand infrastructure. [Read more…] about Electric Future: MIT showcases electric autonomous boat technology

Hyundai business unit showcases new autonomous boat navigation technology

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HD Hyundai’s ship autonomous navigation subsidiary, Avikus, participated in the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world’s largest boat show, proving its leading capability in autonomous ship technology.

Avikus first introduced “NeuBoat”, the level 2 autonomous navigation solution for recreational boats, at this boat show in Florida, held from October 26 to 30.

NeuBoat is a combination of “neuron” and “boat”, implying Avikus’ AI autonomous navigation solution will play a critical role in self-recognition, decision, and control in various maritime conditions as human nerve cells do. [Read more…] about Hyundai business unit showcases new autonomous boat navigation technology

Nippon Express launches eco-friendly delivery service in Venice using hydrogen-powered boats

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Nippon Express Italia has launched an eco-friendly delivery service in Venice, Italy that uses hydrogen-powered boats.

The European Union has set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent from 1990 levels no later than 2030, and companies operating within the EU are accelerating their de-carbonization efforts.

To realize its long-term vision of becoming a “logistics company with a strong presence in the global market”, the Nippon Express Group has made addressing climate change one of its material issues and is working to reduce CO2 emissions in its operations as well as to create products and services that help its customers reduce their own CO2 emissions. [Read more…] about Nippon Express launches eco-friendly delivery service in Venice using hydrogen-powered boats

Autonomous boats could be your next ride

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Five years in the making, MIT’s autonomous floating vessels get an upgrade in size and learn a new way to communicate aboard the waters

The feverish race to produce the shiniest, safest, speediest self-driving car has spilled over into our wheelchairs, scooters, and even golf carts.

Moreover, recently, there’s been movement from land to sea, as marine autonomy stands to change the canals of our cities, with the potential to deliver goods and services and collect waste across our waterways.

In an update to a five-year project from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) and the Senseable City Lab, researchers have been developing the world’s first fleet of autonomous boats for the city of Amsterdam, and have recently added a new, larger vessel to the group: “Roboat II”. (See video below.) [Read more…] about Autonomous boats could be your next ride

5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

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Written by Pippa Strickland from iDiveblue.com

Robotics have changed our lives in remarkable ways and when you consider the vastness of our oceans (which cover more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface), it makes sense that robotics is being harnessed to conduct research and preserve our ocean health.

From improving ship fuel efficiency to repopulating reefs and removing marine litter, here are five ways that robotic innovations are leading to a brighter future for our ocean-dwelling species. [Read more…] about 5 ways robots are cleaning up the world’s oceans

Seine Alliance takes ‘first’ fully-electric passenger boat to Paris

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Seine Alliance, a partnersip between Groupe Renault and Green Vision, has launched what it is the “first 100 per cent electric passenger boat with second life batteries” to Paris, France.

The “Black Swan”, as the boat is called, is specifically designed for private or business cruises on the Seine, the main river is Paris.

The aim of Seine Alliance and its partners is to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness of a model based on the principle of the circular economy, in order to reproduce it and create synergies between the various mobility players. [Read more…] about Seine Alliance takes ‘first’ fully-electric passenger boat to Paris

Startup company Sea Machines developing self-driving technology for which can be added to traditional boats

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sea-machines-self-driving-boat-tech

Boston-based startup Sea Machines is developing autonomous technologies that will enable traditional boats to become self-driving vessels. 

The company says its development heralds a smarter, safer and more efficient era of marine operations brought forward through self-aware and self-driving boats and ships.

With autonomy readily making its way into many traditional land-based and airborne sectors, the massive marine domain is even better suited for autonomous systems with fewer barriers to entry, a high risk operating environment, and an accommodating regulatory space.

More than 20 million vessels are plying the world’s waters including 15 million recreational boats and 100,000 cargo ships; Sea Machines foresees autonomy disrupting this largely manual sector and rapidly developing into a $60 billion space.  [Read more…] about Startup company Sea Machines developing self-driving technology for which can be added to traditional boats