Jan 18, 2022 14:18 JST
Source: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
|
|
MHI: Successful Demonstration Test of World's First Fully Autonomous Ship Navigation Systems on Coastal Ferry in Northern Kyushu
MEGURI 2040 "The Nippon Foundation Fully Autonomous Ship Program"
- Successful fully autonomous navigation of large, high-speed ferry expected to improve safety -
TOKYO, Jan 18, 2022 - (JCN Newswire) - The Nippon Foundation, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, and Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd., (Osaka, Japan; Yasuo Iritani, Chairman) have successfully completed a demonstration test of the world's first fully autonomous ship navigation systems on a large car ferry, conducted on the Iyonada Sea from Shinmoji, Kitakyushuu City, on January 17. This demonstration was part of MEGURI 2040, a project promoting the development of fully autonomous vessels supported by The Nippon Foundation. This test demonstrated the world's first fully autonomous navigation system, on a 222-meter ferry, with autonomous port berthing and unberthing using turning and reversing movements and high-speed navigation of up to 26 knots. Other new technologies included in the advanced fully autonomous operation system include sensors to detect other ships using infrared cameras, a remote engine monitoring system, and a sophisticated cyber security system. These advances in fully autonomous ship navigation are seen as a significant step toward safer and more efficient coastal shipping.
Research and development of fully autonomous ship navigation is intended to address maritime issues including crew shortages and accident prevention. This is also expected to become a "future industry" through which Japan can demonstrate to the world its advanced technologies in areas including ICT, AI, and image analysis technology.
The Nippon Foundation launched the MEGURI 2040 fully autonomous ship navigation project in February 2020 through support for five consortia, which will all be conducting demonstration tests to verify their fully autonomous navigation system concepts from January to March 2022.
Fully autonomous ship project (Smart Coastal Ferry)
Today's successful demonstration test was of the fully autonomous Smart Coastal Ferry project. The newly built SOLEIL ferry began navigating with an onboard crew on July 1, 2021, compiling data for the development of a fully autonomous ship navigation system. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., which has experience in developing navigation support systems that realize automation and crew labor savings, is responsible for the integration of the entire system, and Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. is in charge of setting the vessel's system requirements and conducting the demonstration test. These developments will help resolve issues in coastal shipping including improved safety, crew labor savings, and cost reductions.
Demonstration test and development highlights
The demonstration test of the world's first fully autonomous ship navigation systems of the 222-meter smart vessel was conducted on a 240-km route from Shinmoji (Northern Kyushu) to Iyonada, which takes approximately 7 hours, at a maximum speed of 26 knots (approximately 50 km/hour). The test vessel was equipped with a high-precision sensor image analysis system with infrared cameras that can detect other ships even in darkness, a SUPER BRIDGE-X automated ship navigation system that includes an automated avoidance function, and an advanced automated port berthing/unberthing operation system that can perform turning and reversing movements that are even difficult for manned vessels.
One of the biggest issues of a fully automated vessel is fault prediction, and enhanced engine monitoring technologies that monitor motor conditions are being developed and tested as well. The project is also developing various other technologies essential to the promotion of fully autonomous navigation, including platforms for advanced data security to protect the navigation data used for onshore monitoring and support.
Mitsuyuki Unno, Executive Director, The Nippon Foundation This was the world's first fully autonomous ship navigation of a large vessel of over 200 meters in length with a maximum running speed of 26 knots, and I hope this will lead to further development toward practical use. There are still many issues to be resolved, however, and I believe today's results will be a guide toward the creation of international rules for fully autonomous vessels.
Naoki Ueda, Executive Vice President, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd This demonstration test greatly accelerated the development of fully autonomous ship navigation systems using many advanced technologies including artificial intelligence. We will continue to develop technologies using the valuable knowledge gained to achieve safety and high quality service for passenger ferries, which play an important role in supporting marine transportation in the island nation of Japan.
Masami Sasaki, Executive Director, Shin Nihonkai Ferry Co., Ltd. We are honored to be involved in the development of a fully autonomous ship navigation system that represents the future of Japan's shipping industry.
As a passenger ferry company, we have high expectations for the social application and widespread use of fully autonomous operation as one of the solutions to issues including human error and crew labor savings.
About MHI Group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world's leading industrial groups, spanning energy, logistics & infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on www.spectra.mhi.com.
Sectors: Marine & Offshore
Copyright ©2022 JCN Newswire. All rights reserved. A division of Japan Corporate News Network.
|
Latest Release
 NEC and Juniper Networks Deploy Algeria Telecom's Nationwide 5G-Ready IP Metro Network May 25, 2022 17:50 JST
|  Hitachi and Hitachi Astemo Developed Thin-type Inverter Technology for EVs That is More Compact and Energy Efficient  May 25, 2022 11:02 JST
|  DENSO, Honeywell Co-Develop E-Motor for Lilium's All-Electric Jet May 25, 2022 10:01 JST
|  Toyota Announces May/June Production Suspension and June Production Plan May 24, 2022 13:53 JST
|  NEC Provides AI-based Traffic Monitoring System with Fiber-optic Sensing Technology for NEXCO CENTRAL May 24, 2022 11:27 JST
|  Mitsubishi Corporation signs Participation Agreement with Sempra Infrastructure, TotalEnergies, Mitsui for Carbon Sequestration Project in Louisiana May 24, 2022 10:10 JST
|  Hitachi launches Lumada Inspection Insights and strengthens digital and green portfolio May 24, 2022 09:16 JST
|  Project-Finance Agreement Signed for MC-Hokuden Hydro Power Alliance May 23, 2022 11:15 JST
|  Mitsubishi Motors to Launch the All-New eK X EV in Japan  May 23, 2022 09:36 JST
|  NEC and Toyota Technical Development Develop Stable Wireless Control System for Cars and other Moving Objects in Factories May 23, 2022 09:24 JST
|  MC and Morgenrot Enter into Capital and Business Alliance May 20, 2022 20:19 JST
|  ROOKIE Racing and TOM'S SPIRIT Announce Team Setups for Super Taikyu Series Fuji 24 Hours Race May 20, 2022 13:42 JST
|  MC and Kurashiki City Sign Regional Development Agreement May 20, 2022 10:55 JST
|  BDO announces winners of the BDO ESG Awards 2022 May 19, 2022 22:20 JST
|  MHI-MS Introduces the New "MC" Flexo Folder Gluer: The Latest Innovation from the World's Leading Industrial Firm May 18, 2022 20:36 JST
|  Lexus to Unveil All-New RX on June 1, 2022 May 18, 2022 19:38 JST
|  Fujitsu Signs Strategic Collaboration Agreement with AWS to Accelerate Digital Transformation in Finance and Retail Industry May 18, 2022 14:51 JST
|  Yew Lee Pacific Group Berhad Launches Prospectus for ACE Market IPO May 17, 2022 13:30 JST
|  Alba Signs Agreement with Mitsubishi Power & SEPCOIII as EPC Contractor for Block 4 in Power Station 5 May 17, 2022 12:26 JST
|  Fujitsu and RIKEN start joint research on next-generation IT drug discovery technology using the supercomputer Fugaku and simulation integrated AI May 17, 2022 11:32 JST
|
More Latest Release >>
|