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autonomous operations for extended duration, advanced satel- summer of next year and launching that to the public. There lite communications and co-operative behavior. will be a testing phase, with some of that taking place here

Data harvesting issues is also an area the group would like in the Plymouth University Marine Building, using their cut- to see improved as well as the possibility of implementing ting edge wave tanks. Following the year-long testing phase, ‘goal oriented programming’ to create dynamic mission plans the planned Atlantic crossing in 2020 will mark the 400th an- that better serves the scienti? c goals of a speci? c mission niversary of the original May? ower sailings from Plymouth, without signi? cant human intervention through direct opera- England to Plymouth, Mass. “If we can deliver the May? ower tion of the May? ower Autonomous Research Ship. Autonomous Research vessel, and obtain the various permis- sions required to have it sail across the Atlantic, then we will have a lasting legacy for the shipping sector. We are hoping to

PROPELLING FORWARD play a vital role in the introduction, management, de-risking “There are a number of ? nancial, technological and regu- and technological advancement in use of unmanned and au- latory hurdles that we will need to clear along the way. At tomated systems. While this may have a different morphol- this stage, it is an aspiration not a realization. But we will be ogy and commercial purpose, it will nonetheless need all of inclusive, talking to authorities to achieve that buy-in we’ll the same sensors, equipment and software and meet the same need for regulatory change; welcoming partners whose exper- regulatory issues. Crossing the Atlantic is, we hope, the start,” tise might help to deliver a particular aspect of the vessel,” said Jones. The multi-million pound project is part of the Uni- said Attrill. “We are adopting an aggressive rapid prototyping versity’s ‘Shape the Future’ fundraising campaign, recently program that leverages the experience the participants have launched at the House of Lords. Initial funding has been pro- in design, manufacture and operation of marine systems. And vided by the University, MSubs, and the ProMare Foundation, we’ll work with leading technology companies in the defense and corporate and private sponsorship will be sought for on- and civilian marine sector to integrate commercial and exist- going support. ing bespoke technology solutions from other areas of R&D.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Professor Kevin Jones, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Plymouth University

The group are working towards readying a model in spring/

Brett Phaneuf, Managing Director of MSubs

Professor Martin Attrill, Director of the Plymouth University Marine Institute www.marinetechnologynews.com

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