UK-based consulting services provider tpgroup has completed a sea trial of its autonomous navigation system, Northstar, demonstrating safe navigation of unmanned vessels in real-time and in a real-life environment, without human intervention.
Northstar has been successfully used on different platforms and within a range of environments that include congested waterways and in open water, the company said.
This level of technological maturity (technical readiness level 7) means that it can developed for unmanned missions within the maritime sector,
…tpgroup explains.
See also: Humans reach year of decision on the autonomous ship
This advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning software is Phase 3 of a 2-year MOD programme among tpgroup, Thales and other contributors, aiming to demonstrate autonomous navigation within unmanned missions.
This is a significant milestone in our ambitious autonomy programme to develop a system of systems, enabling the coordination and synchronisation of multiple platforms – and establishing tpgroup as the UK’s primary provider of autonomous navigation software for complex environments,
…said Luke Tucker, tpgroup’s Group Consulting & Services Director.
I am glad to see this test of autonomous ship,becouse the quality and new era in merchant navy will start soon.