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Korean scientists develop new navigation system for autonomous ships

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Existing ship control systems using Model Predictive Control for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) do not consider the various forces acting on ships in real sea conditions.

Addressing this gap, in a new study, researchers developed a novel time-optimal control method, that accounts for the real wave loads acting on a ship, enabling effective planning and control of MASS at sea.

The study of ship manoeuvring at sea has long been the central focus of the shipping industry. With the rapid advancements in remote control, communication technologies and artificial intelligence, the concept of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) has emerged as a promising solution for autonomous marine navigation. [Read more…] about Korean scientists develop new navigation system for autonomous ships

Lomar and Alicia Bots partner to develop robotic system for cleaning ship hulls

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Lomar, a ship-owning and management group, and Alicia Bots, a tech start-up developing robotics and mobility solutions for the maritime, offshore, oil and gas industries, are partnering to develop a robotic system for ship hull maintenance.

The companies say this effort both integrates cutting-edge robotic hull inspection and cleaning solutions into Lomar’s biofouling control practices as well as tests new use cases, marking a “significant leap forward” in the maritime industry’s pursuit of efficiency and environmental responsibility.

Lomar is to implement Alicia Bots’ robotic technology on up to 15 of its vessels. The autonomous hull cleaning technology provides a “viable reduction” in hull fouling, reducing fuel consumption, costs, and carbon emissions, says Lomar. [Read more…] about Lomar and Alicia Bots partner to develop robotic system for cleaning ship hulls

Avikus conducts ‘world’s first’ transoceanic voyage with autonomous navigation

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Avikus, a subsidiary of Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD Hyundai), has successfully carried out the autonomous navigation of a large ship across the ocean, becoming the first company in the world to accomplish such a feat.

Together with SK Shipping, Avikus, which specializes in autonomous navigation, announced on June 2 that it had successfully completed autonomous navigation of Prism Courage, a 180,000 square-meter-class ultra-large LNG carrier.

The vessel is equipped with HiNAS 2.0, Avikus’ Level 2 autonomous navigation solution. This transoceanic voyage is the world’s first case of a vessel using autonomous navigation technology. [Read more…] about Avikus conducts ‘world’s first’ transoceanic voyage with autonomous navigation

Finland university aims to solve cruise liner passenger safety issues with ‘coughing robot’

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Finland’s Healthy Travel project, based at the Åbo Akademi University, is aiming to offer the global cruise industry a lifeline as cruise lines aim to set sail safely once again – through the use of a “coughing robot”.

In the multi-disciplinary initiative, Finnish academic researchers, cruise companies, shipyards, and subcontractors are coming together to develop and implement science-based solutions that will improve health and safety on cruise ships and in terminal buildings.

Finland’s Ambassador to the United States, Mikko Hautala, and his team are now connecting American cruise companies with their Finnish counterparts to ensure that the US cruise industry – the largest in the world – is an active participant in the recovery and future of the global cruise industry. [Read more…] about Finland university aims to solve cruise liner passenger safety issues with ‘coughing robot’

Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

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Sea Machines Robotics​​​​, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, has completed what is believed to be the world’s first 1,000+ nautical miles autonomous and remotely commanded journey of a commercial vessel at sea.

Under the project name The Machine Odyssey, the autonomous tug Nellie Bly completed its journey in just 129 operational hours over 13 days.

The program was commanded by US Coast Guard-licensed mariners remotely stationed 3,000 miles away in Boston, many of whom are also members of the American Maritime Officers union. [Read more…] about Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

Tas Global commercializes ‘world’s first’ ship hull cleaning robot system

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A startup company called Tas Global is commercializing what it says is the world’s only robot capable of cleaning freely on curved surfaces.

The company has registered more than 30 patents in 16 countries including the US on the journey to bringing the robotic system to market.

Selected as a South Korean government project, Tas started by developing technology for processing organisms attached on a ship’s hull. [Read more…] about Tas Global commercializes ‘world’s first’ ship hull cleaning robot system

Chinese shipbuilder integrates autonomous navigation system

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Chinese shipbuilder Jiangnan Shipyards Group is integrating autonomous navigation system into its new vessels, according to RivieraMM.com.

The company ordered the integrated automation and control systems from a company called Høglund Marine Solutions, based in Norway.

Integrated automation and control systems, or IACS, are hardware-plus-software solutions that are designed to meet the complete range of automation and control tasks on board modern vessels, according to Høglund. [Read more…] about Chinese shipbuilder integrates autonomous navigation system

The Future for Contactless Delivery

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By D. A. Rupprecht

The future for contactless product delivery is already here, and a pandemic seems to already be moving this trend forward.

It just needs companies to implement and customers to accept the new delivery and tracking methods, along with other innovations, that will make this so.

When this happens, we may one day look back and quietly thank the lowly coronavirus for catapulting us into a brighter future. [Read more…] about The Future for Contactless Delivery

Autonomous ships ahoy!

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Advancements in artificial intelligence have brought autonomous ships onto the horizon

In the world where tech giants such as Google, Tesla, and Uber are eager to see driverless cars roaming on the street, the time is close when autonomous ships would dominate oceans.

After conquering land and air, autonomous vehicles (AVs) would soon dive into the seas.

Thanks to the collaboration of Finferries and Rolls-Royce the world has seen a glimpse of the bright future of autonomous ships, making it certain that the marine world would definitely see automation taking over the waterways. [Read more…] about Autonomous ships ahoy!

Autonomous sea-going vessels likely to be launched before driverless cars

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The vast majority of the world’s goods are shipped – quite literally – by sea. According to the International Maritime Organization, 90 per cent of the world’s trade is carried by ships and boats. 

The IMO adds that the sea “is, by far, the most cost-effective way to move en masse goods and raw materials around the world”.

So while we’re all waiting for drones and driverless vehicles to deliver our online shopping orders by road and by air, it seems the really big trends are all at sea.  [Read more…] about Autonomous sea-going vessels likely to be launched before driverless cars