Bridge technology has been selected to showcase autonomous navigation in Japan across a newly constructed container ship, an incumbent container vessel, and a cargo ship servicing isolated islands.
Furuno Electric Joins MEGURI 2040 Project
Furuno Electric sensors, electronic charts and information equipment will be used on three ships as part of the fully autonomous ship project, MEGURI 2040.
The Japanese technology provider will participate in the joint technological development programme to demonstrate fully autonomous ships administered by the Nippon Foundation.
Furuno Electronics In Autonomous Ship Testing
NYK Group subsidiary MTI and Japan Marine Science are also involved in this programme and are testing artificial intelligence (AI) technology for autonomous ships and navigation.
Furuno electronics aboard these autonomous vessels will include the FAR3000 chart radar, FMD3200 ECDIS, FA170 automatic identification system, GP170 navigator providing GPS information and FE800 echo sounder. Information from these devices will be routed through an action-planning unit to process navigation actions in response to input sensor data.
Advancing Autonomy
From these units, information is sent to two fleet operation centres for monitoring, remote command and response to issues.
Technologies required for autonomous navigation, hazard identification and collision avoidance were tested and demonstrated in the first stage of the MEGURI 2040 project. The second stage of this project will refine technologies developed in the first stage, establish industry standards and upgrade the simulation technology.
Furuno’s Autonomous Ship Vision
The partners will also establish a certification scheme to commercialise the process, including autonomous navigation and land-based monitoring. They will work towards the commercialisation of fully autonomous ships by 2025.
Furuno will use this project to develop its technology further and establish international and domestic rules for fully autonomous ships. It also aims to develop the human resource requirements and training methods needed to accommodate these new working styles.
Furuno will also study deregulation, insurance and freight rate benefits, and other ways to ensure the continuous commercial use of fully autonomous ships.
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Source: riviera
