Page 24: of Marine Technology Magazine (October 2015)

Autonomy & Maritime Ops (Image: Shuttleworth Design)

PROJECT MARS

T e future of Autonomy

By Kira Coley nnovation and technological advancement is central to time sector, such as oil and gas, and particularly the military. propelling maritime industries into a new era of ef? - While the terrestrial sector pushes on with drone technology, ciency. While the idea of autonomy is now a welcome where major companies such as Amazon are investigating the

Isolution for several military and scienti? c applications, potential of using drones for home deliveries, the shipping in- other sectors are yet to fully take the concept on-board. As dustry has yet to embrace it. autonomous systems are continually proven a success in the “Some might see the lack of interest as conservatism on ? eld, the spotlight has now turned to the maritime sector. their part, and engrained adherence to having ‘eyes on’ the

World-? rst ventures are emerging with aspirations of prov- bridge at all times,” suggests Brett Phaneuf, Managing Di- ing the potential of autonomy and its ability to transform the rector of MSubs. “But human error accounts for the majority future of ocean voyages. A new collaboration between Plym- of accidents at sea, so there needs to be a reassessment and outh University and MSubs, has set a course to build the ? rst a debate around this issue – autonomous technology should fully autonomous state-of-the-art ocean research vessel that not be seen as some form of inherent threat to the safety of will demonstrate the possibilities of autonomy within the seafarers.” shipping industry. Plymouth University and Plymouth-based partner MSubs

The potential of autonomous vehicle technology to address are now aspiring to build the ? rst full-sized autonomous un- the challenges of working in conditions that are dangerous or manned ship to sail across the Atlantic in 2020 – replicating inaccessible has been recognized in recent years. The concept the ‘Plymouth to Plymouth’ May? ower route. Designed and of autonomy has already reached many areas within the mari- developed in collaboration with internationally acclaimed

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