Full
autonomous boats
Progress toward the development of fully- autonomous boats took a giant leap forward in January this year when a Japanese car ferry completed a 240km voyage through the Iyonada Sea, successfully departing port, navigating the crossing while avoiding other traffic, and docking at its destination, all without human intervention.
Built by Mitsubishi, the Soleil executed several automated manoeuvres in the course of its voyage, including high-speed navigation at speeds of up to 26 knots. The electronics used to guide the 222m vessel include infrared cameras that can detect other ships in even total darkness, an automated ship navigation system collision avoidance capability, and an advanced automated port berthing/unberthing system that provides fully automatic docking.
The Soleil ferry began navigating with a human crew in
July 2021, allowing the vessel to compile six months of passage data in preparation for its fully autonomous navigation. That data bank can now be shared among other autonomous vessels travelling a similar route or visiting the same ports. The long-term goal is to create a global, shared library of navigation and port data that can be collected by and shared among all autonomous vessels – updating the data bank in real time to reflect any changes.
Scaled-down versions of the system could also allow fully automated leisure boats to handle the driving while their occupants relax and lay out in the sun. Industry analysts say that automation systems could be just the ticket to encourage more people to come boating by eliminating anxiety over docking or learning navigation skills.
Insulation you can eat
Boats use a lot of insulation, whether it’s to make overnight accommodation more comfortable, or to cut noise from the engine compartment. But traditional insulation isn’t the nicest stuff from an environmental perspective, leading a group of German scientists to experiment with more ecologically-friendly alternatives – like popcorn.
Researchers at the University of Göttingen in central Germany say granulated popcorn is a great insulator that actually outperforms the stuff already in use. Further, popcorn can be formed into sheets or applied with a spray gun for easy installation. It’s highly fire-resistant, costs pennies, and is widely available. Best of all, at the end of its life popcorn insulation is fully biodegradable. You can even eat the stuff.
This article was first published in Boating New Zealand magazine and is republished here with our thanks. 98 | The Report • June 2023 • Issue 104
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