South Korean autonomous ship research centre invests in bridge simulator

Set for delivery in November this year, the simulator will be used to research and develop navigational equipment and display systems.

It will enable autonomous vessel technologies to be tested in a safe virtual environment ahead of trials on an autonomous ship testbed.

The South Korean Government has committed to investing ₩130Bn (US$110M) in the research facility over the next three years and operations are scheduled to start in 2023.

In addition to K-Sim Navigation, the simulator will include newly developed software to integrate external inputs such as GPS and wave sensors along with an API interface to permit simulation data transfer to other systems. The simulator will provide high-fidelity visual and physical simulation, a radar signal interface function and software for navigation analysis, equipment testing and evaluation.

An area database for a virtual simulation of Ulsan Port will also be supplied, along with a modelling tool to allow new simulator vessel models to be built from the ground up.