- Weathernews has been selected as a member of DFFAS Project.
- 22 domestic companies will collaborate on the Joint Technological Development Programme.
- It is for Demonstration of Unmanned Ships administered by the Nippon Foundation.
- The project will carry out field testing of crewless domestic container ships.
- Weathernews will develop a navigation planning system that combines AI.
- AI will be combined with the weather and operational data to select the optimal route.
- Used for automated navigation, land support, remote manoeuvring, and communication channels.
Weathernews Inc. has been selected as a member of the “Designing the Future of Full Autonomous Ship Project“ (DFFAS Project), says a press release published on their website.
Joint Technological Development Programme
It is made up of 22 domestic companies who will collaborate on the Joint Technological Development Programme for the Demonstration of Unmanned Ships administered by the Nippon Foundation.
Crewless domestic container ships
In 2021, this project will carry out field testing of crewless domestic container ships navigating over long distances through congested waters, working toward the commercialization of autonomous ships by 2025.
The organizers expect that successful field trials ahead of the rest of the world will lead to the world’s first demonstration of the crewless operation of ships in congested waters and the early implementation of autonomous shipping, which will improve the industry’s international competitiveness.
Navigation planning system using AI
Weathernews is responsible for the development of a navigation planning system that combines AI with the weather and operational data to select the optimal route. This technology will also serve as the core of Weathernews’ upcoming autonomous ship support service.
Cooperating in the development of a Route Planning System that uses AI to find the optimal route for ship navigation.
This technology will also serve as the core of Weathernews’ upcoming autonomous ship support service
Nees for a comprehensive system
The practical use of crewless vessels requires a comprehensive system that encompasses all of the functions needed to operate a ship, including functionality to deliver feedback from land to ship, and operation by remote control in case of emergency. To achieve this, 22 domestic companies will participate in the DFFAS Project, developing and implementing the systems needed for practical use, including automated navigation, land support, remote maneuvering, and communication channels.
Combination of three technologies
Weathernews is responsible for the development of the navigation planning system as part of the land support system. In order to achieve automatic navigation planning, the company will develop the following three technologies.
- Optimal route selection with outstanding safety and economy.
- Unique meteorological and oceanographic analysis and prediction using physical models and machine learning.
- Ship performance estimation updated frequently from operational data
Analysis of weather models and operational results
In developing these systems, Weathernews will use AI in combination with the analysis of weather models and operational results data from over 1 million voyages made using the company’s services to further improve weather routing.
The company also aims to achieve environmentally friendly ship operations through improved energy efficiency and optimizing routing and engine speeds. In the future, this technology will also serve as the core of an autonomous ship support service provided by Weathernews.
Schedule for the implementation of autonomous ships
Features of DFFAS Project
The DFFAS project has the following characteristics under the concept of “creating the future of crewless maritime autonomous surface ships — a grand design devised by various experts.”
- A project structure that values the concept of open collaboration among 22 domestic companies that are responsible for creating the future of the Japanese shipping industry, cooperating together with various domestic and foreign experts.
- Development and demonstration of comprehensive system functions required for crewless maritime autonomous surface ships including remote operation in case of an emergency, automation of berthing/unberthing, operations in accordance with the approved route plan and action plan, and the monitoring of support functions from the fleet operation centre (including ship-shore data communication system).
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Source: WeatherNews
