Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. has completed the demonstration trial of a fully autonomous navigation system on a large Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) cargo ship, which is a noteworthy development under the Nippon Foundation’s MEGURI2040 Fully Autonomous Ship Project.
The project’s goal is to prepare society for using fully autonomous ships, and this most recent demonstration test is an essential step toward that goal.
A Proof of Concept (PoC) stage sea demonstration test of the autonomous navigation system was carried out by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha on board the 11,413 gross ton large RORO cargo ship “HOKUREN MARU No. 2.”
The test comprised three trips along a 1,600 km round-trip route from Hitachi Port to Kushiro Port, which was a previously used service route for the RORO cargo ship. The cargo ship’s autonomous navigation system showed excellent analysis, recognition, and decision-making accuracy when navigating a coastal way.
The plan worked well when combined with the standard crew navigation duties. The autonomous navigation system controlled steering and suggested avoidance routes when it was necessary to navigate around other vessels safely. The system demonstrated an impressive average operation evaluation of roughly 96% within the designated sea area.
Together with YDK Technologies Co., Japan Radio Co., Ltd. Ltd., and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha has developed a comprehensive system that advances the technology of fully autonomous ships. Using its knowledge of safe maritime operations, the company intends to further improve the autonomous navigation system using the data gathered from the demonstration tests.
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha has been planning to continue the collaboration until 2025 to develop a comprehensive process. Previous research and development successes—like the development of an automated vessel speed control system—will be built upon to improve the system.
The company also plans to create ship-to-shore and off-board communication strategies to monitor vessel conditions and continuously offer navigational assistance from shore.
Reference- KLine
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Successfully Completes Demonstration Test Of Autonomous Ship Project appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide
Source: Maritime Shipping News