Enhancing Efficiency And Safety In Autonomous Vessel Operations

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The emergence of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) signifies a significant shift in the shipping industry, emphasizing the need for optimal control models for autonomous navigation. However, existing studies often overlook the challenges posed by dynamic sea conditions, necessitating innovative approaches to address this gap.

The Innovative Control Method

Led by Assistant Professor Daejeong Kim, a team of researchers from Korea Maritime & Ocean University devised a novel time-optimal control method for MASS. This method incorporates a comprehensive mathematical ship model that considers various forces acting on the vessel, particularly wave loads, to enhance navigation and target tracking in dynamic sea conditions.

Integration and Testing

The researchers integrated the mathematical ship model with a time optimization model, transforming temporal formulations into spatial ones to achieve time-optimal control. Through nonlinear Model Predictive Control (MPC), they tested the controller’s efficacy via simulations, considering different wave loads. Additionally, three control strategies were proposed and evaluated to optimize course planning and tracking, shedding light on their influence on propulsion and steering efficiency.

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Source: EurekAlert