A German research group intends to demonstrate the first autonomous vessel in sailing and manoeuvring tests in 2024 as part of plans to build unmanned ferries
The Clean Autonomous Public Transportation Network (CAPTN) initiative expects to test remotely controlled research catamaran Wavelab in autonomous mode in the Kiel Fjord, Germany.
During 2023, the group was monitoring Wavelab in a testing area from a remote operating centre using technology from Anschütz, a 5G mobile network and a high-performance WiFi-6 network provided by Addix. This team also completed a digital twin with data provided by sensors and systems on board Wavelab.
It successfully remotely controlled and manoeuvred this vessel, with full access to the sensor data and the navigation, steering and propulsion systems under various environmental conditions.
In 2024, CAPTN will go far further and enable computers on Wavelab to autonomously navigate this catamaran in the test area off Kiel.
“So far, our focus has been on finding out what information needs to be presented to users and how, so they can monitor and remotely control a ship safely and efficiently,” said Anschütz head of research projects Daniel Sommerstedt.
“Our aim now is to increase the level of automation of the systems on board so we can ideally demonstrate the first autonomous driving tests in Kiel by the end of 2024.”
The CAPTN team is preparing for autonomous vessel navigation, with monitoring operations from the shore centre. It is ensuring ECDIS and autopilot interact with each other to provide remote control using heading controls, while enabling autonomous sailing with the help of track and speed controls.
In 2024, this team will improve Wavelab’s manoeuvrability at low speeds to enable automatic docking and hazard avoidance in port.
“Additional assistance is also important,” said Mr Sommerstedt. “In our remote operating centre, we process data from new sensors and develop new functions that we can run on our bridge platform,” he explained.
“We can then enrich the overall maritime picture with additional information, including clear recommendations for the navigators.”
These assistance systems will be developed and tested in the next project phase in 2024 to include collision avoidance scenarios, calculated using artificial intelligence and rule- and model-based approaches involving maritime situation analysis, in accordance with IMO’s collision avoidance regulations, using tracks and own ship information. From this, a recommendation will be presented to the user as to whether the course should be maintained, or an evasive manoeuvre is necessary. The system will then calculate and display trajectories that can be automated in the long term.
The CAPTN initiative will also analyse various sensors in defined scenarios to determine the extent to which they improve situation assessment and simplify safe navigation and steering using radar, video and light detection and ranging sensors, devices for bearings and the determination of distances, and systems for the automatic detection and classification of objects.
“The research projects within the CAPTN initiative enable us to design and test new ship sensors and systems with partners from the industry and science in a unique real maritime test field for autonomous ships,” said Mr Sommerstedt.
“We are driving forward innovations in our navigation systems that are ready for approval with which we can make shipping safer, more efficient and more flexible in terms of manning concepts.”
CAPTN is developing autonomous, safe, low-emissions passenger ferries to connect the eastern and western shores of the Kiel Fjord. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and Transport and has built the largest research vessel for autonomous shipping in Germany.
The navigational basis of Wavelab is Anschütz’s Synapsis NX integrated navigation system, including radar equipment, ECDIS, autopilot, intelligent data and alarm management. This system also integrates optical sensors and closed-circuit television cameras, and enables data exchange with the operating centre at Anschütz and includes information on routes, obstacles and destinations, to make remote monitoring and the autonomous navigation trials possible.
In the Fjord 5G research project, the project partners installed infrastructure for maritime data communication based on a 5G mobile network and a high-performance WiFi-6 network on the Kiel Fjord.
Associated partners are Kiel University, WTD 71 providing the sheltered harbour for testing autonomous driving manoeuvres, City of Kiel, Port of Kiel, AVL, HH Vision and local ferry operator Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel and Wissenschaftszentrum Kiel.
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