AI / Augmented reality and Future of marine navigation

10 December 2021

For  centuries, mariners have utilized myriad assets to navigate the world’s seas and oceans safely. Compasses, radar, echo sounders, Global  Positioning System (GPS) receivers, signals, the ship’s whistle and the very skies above have all been used to navigate andto ensure safe passage. But in the new world from AI navigation, E-Navigation and Autonomous ships there are a lot of upcoming technologies that are being developed and tested as navigating without electronic tools is no longer an option.

The traditional methods of navigation do have their place, but the fact is there is no escaping modernization. The most popular tool of electronic navigation mandated by SOLAS is the ECDIS. Mandating ECDIS has shown us how fast things are switched on to digital technology and how everyone wants to have this new technology at their fingertips rather  than the messy, slow and labour and paper-intensive methods of the past.

In this articles some of these technologies and new developments regarding them will be discussed.

Use of AI in Navigation – ORCA AI

First of all What is artificial Intelligence

The simplest definition I can make you understand is, Artificial intelligence leverages computers and machines to mimic  the problem-solving and decision-making capabilities of the human mind.  

What is Orca AI? 

It integrates with systems already on board, adding additional sensors  such as thermal and low-light cameras which feed information into an AI-powered navigation system. Together, they provide long-range visibility in any lighting or weather condition, something Yarden Gross, CEO and founder of ORCA says traditional systems such as radar alone cannot do. Easy to install and  use, it has the capability to detect, identify and track multiple vessels at any one time.      

It also requires only limited training meaning it is ready to use almost  immediately. “The system supplements [the crew] with the additional  sensors to provide the information needed to make educated navigational  decisions. Its impact is felt right away.”     

As well as utilising existing sensors and the additional data through  its cameras, Orca AI uses what the company calls “deep learning  artificial intelligence algorithms” to identify and classify vessels on  the water, providing what it says are “life-saving alerts”. 

Gross says there has been a lot of interest around his company’s  solution as fleet owners are aware of the problems their crews face and  are looking for solutions. He adds, however, they are not looking to replace crew, rather make their job less risky. 

At the same time he also adds, “Designed specifically for the maritime environment, this innovative system is the first of its kind for the commercial shipping industry and  is helping build the foundation for the future of autonomous shipping,”  Gross says. The introduction of such a system is timely given the growing desire for autonomous capabilities within the industry,  something Gross likens to a puzzle.   

you can read more about by doing just a web search or clicking on this techcrunch article

https://techcrunch.com/2021/04/21/orca-ai-which-puts-computer-vision-onto-cargo-ships-raises-13m-series-a-funding

This is the official site of the AI technology developed.

https://www.orca-ai.io/

FURUNO ENVISION AR Navigation System 

What is Augmented Reality?

This technology superimposes a Computer Graphics image on a user’s view of the real  world. Unlike virtual reality, where everything a user sees is generated  by a computer, augmented reality keeps the real-world focus, but just  adds elements that aren’t really there to enhance the user’s experience.

This application has been used everywhere from the healthcare tech industry to retail and even manufacturing—Google is reintroducing Google Glass as an augmented reality tool for the workforce.

Basically The cool Iron man and marvel kinda shit in real life, how cool is that!!!

Fun Fact – A few innovative professionals are now even using augmented reality in their business cards.

Furuno introduced a revolutionary solution designed for the future of navigation: the FURUNO ENVISION AR navigation system (model AR-100M), an innovative and advanced augmented reality navigation system that provides substantial navigation support,  using the power of ‘ AR (Augmented Reality) to go beyond reality.

Augmented reality (a definition full of jargons 🙃)

Augmented reality (AR – Augmented Reality) is physical reality, as  perceived sensory and intellectually by the individual, enriched with  data in digital format. Unlike virtual reality (VR), which creates a  totally artificial environment, augmented reality uses the existing  environment and superimposes additional information on it.

Purpose of the FURUNO AR-100M navigation system

The main purpose of using the FURUNO ENVISION AR  navigation system is to minimize human error and help make smart  decisions quickly. For this purpose, the AR system helps users to  intuitively understand the surrounding situation by overlaying the  necessary information on a single screen.

Thanks to a forward-pointing camera at the bow of the boat, an image  of the front view is projected onto a screen and all the necessary  navigation information is superimposed on this image.

In addition to navigation data (such as position, speed, and direction received from GPS and other Gyrocompass receivers), the data displayed also includes AIS data, target tracking radar, and the ECDIS chart.

All this allows, even in the case of adverse weather conditions or  visibility, to clearly see the routes and data related to your boat and  other boats: even when the boat rocks or rocks, the overlay AR  information remains stable and will not drift away of the real  elements, providing reliable data in all circumstances.

This highly intuitive way of viewing and sharing information provides  greater situational awareness and allows for better coordination  between the captain and crew.

The FURUNO ENVISION AR system also aims to  contribute to the safety and protection of travel by offering visual  support for maneuvers and navigation during any operation, a  technological step towards autonomous navigation.

AR Navigation is an auxiliary tool designed to improve navigation  conditions and for safer navigation. Under no circumstances should AR  navigation replace radar, ECDIS, etc., or other tools necessary to avoid  hazards.

MOL is going to sequentially install the system in its energy transport fleet  including LNG carriers, as well as its dry bulkers to provide seafarers  with greater support in watch-keeping and ship operation during voyages,  and continue to refine and enhance its effectiveness. In addition, MOL  expects this technology to play a key role in realizing autonomous ships  in the future. 

Following video would give an idea how cool is AR navigation

Lloyd’s Register launches industry-first AI register    

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has launched an artificial intelligence  (AI) register, a standardised digital register of LR certified AI  providers and solutions, a first of its kind for the maritime industry. 

It is a directory of certified Artificial Intelligence (AI) providers and solutions for the maritime industry                      

LR’s AI Register has been developed to signpost proven and reliable AI  technology to help maritime stakeholders benefit from the latest applications.

The AI Register will assist maritime stakeholders in finding appropriate  providers and solutions for business challenges, minimising the risk  and cost of investing in AI technology. AI providers can also use the  Register to assess existing technology and solutions from the market.  

The AI providers currently listed in LR’s AI Register include Furuno,  HAT Analytics, Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE),  Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and  ZhenDui Industrial Artificial Intelligence (ZDIAI). 

DNV introduces standard for vessel remote control centres

DNV has introduced the shipping industry’s first competence standard for vessel remote control centre operators (RCCO).

The standard is supported by a new recommended practice that offers a  certification scheme for RCCOs. Together, they provide a framework for  training, assessing, and certifying personnel working in remote-control centres that support or manage operations at sea.

Still think autonomous shipping is a distant dream?

Intelligent software systems and enhanced ship-to-shore-connectivity  have laid the groundwork for the growth of remote solutions and autonomy  in shipping. Unmanned vessels are already expected to begin operations  in the near future.

Ensuring that these vessels operate at an equivalent level of safety  is essential to building confidence and realising the potential of these  technologies. However, despite the technical solutions being in place,  competence requirements for those monitoring, supporting and/or  controlling these ships have not been defined.  

Yara’s autonomous zero-emission container ship begins maiden voyage

The world’s first electric and self-propelled container ship, the Yara Birkeland, has departed for its maiden voyage in the Oslo fjord.

The Yara Birkeland has been developed in collaboration with the Kongsberg Group and was built by VARD with financial support from Enova.

The ship will be operated from Maasterlys’ monitoring and operation’s  centre in Horten. Massterly is a joint venture between KONGSBERG and Wilhelmsen.

Now begins a two-year testing period of the technology that will make the ship self-propelled, and finally certified as an autonomous,  all-electric container ship. It will then begin commercial operation  from 2022.

The vessel is expected to cut 1,000 tonnes of CO2 and replace 40,000  trips by diesel-powered trucks a year, according to Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara.    

Apart from this there are a lot of articles on the internet predicting the automation of shipping with very less to no crew onboard. I am linking two of my favorites below.

https://phys.org/news/2017-09-unmanned-ships-cargo-industry-dearly.html

https://kennedyslaw.com/news/adoption-of-fully-automated-shipping-will-take-decades-not-years/

Conclusion

There are a lot of speculations and hurdles right now when it comes to autonoumous shipping but there is no denying that the progress that has been made in this sector is phenomenal.