vessel

Silicon Sensing to provide navigation technology for Mayflower autonomous ship

January 20, 2020 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

Two Silicon Sensing Systems ultra-precise AMU30 inertial measurement units (IMUs) will provide critical navigation data to the autopilot capability for the Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) throughout her milestone trans-Atlantic voyage this autumn.

Setting sail this September, the 15 meter-long, 5-ton MAS400 will repeat the Mayflower’s original epic voyage 400 years ago. Led by marine research organization ProMare and powered by IBM, she will sail from Plymouth, England to Plymouth Massachusetts, USA.

Instead of a captain and crew, she will use computer vision, machine learning, edge technologies and sensors to navigate and detect hazards. [Read more…] about Silicon Sensing to provide navigation technology for Mayflower autonomous ship

ZF develops fully electric propulsion system for sailing yachts

November 25, 2019 by Sam Francis Leave a Comment

ZF has developed what it describes as a “fully electric” propulsion system for sailing yachts.

ZF says the development shows it is continuing to expand its portfolio of environment-friendly marine propulsion solutions.

The new fully electric propulsion system can be combined with ZF’s Steerable Pod Propulsion system and is “steering skippers into a cleaner, more sustainable future”. [Read more…] about ZF develops fully electric propulsion system for sailing yachts

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

July 28, 2017 by Sam Francis

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

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

September 23, 2016 by Mai Tao

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