Hyundai Heavy Industries encouraged initiatives for sophisticated autonomous ships by successfully applying self-propelled sailing technology to a large vessel.
The group announced that SK Shipping has successfully deployed the HiNAS Hyundai Intelligent Navigation Assist System on its 250,000-ton bulk carrier. Completing HiNAS’s verification through a series of test runs, HHI Group became the first company in the world to apply a basic technology for autonomous sailing on a large ship currently in service.
Developed jointly by the HHI Group and the state-run Korea Institute of Advanced Science and Technology (KAIST), HiNAS works with augmented reality. What is particularly noteworthy about this advanced navigation assistance system is that it can analyze and present comprehensive information such as the location and speed of obstacles using infrared cameras, even when visibility is limited at night or due to sea fog.
In addition, the group has recently completed the development of HiBAS (Hyundai Intelligence Docking Assistance System), which provides a full view of the ship when berthing or leaving.
Ship accidents typically result in large and costly damage. The possibilities for expanding navigational safety are limited today. It is thought that such technological developments that will contribute to the autonomous operation of businesses and ships will increase economy and security and provide more stable transportation services.
Next-generation sailing ships are on their way to be the ships of the future equipped with a wide array of fourth industrial revolution technologies such as IoT, big data and AI. Strong shipping companies must update their goals and adapt advanced technologies to their systems, contribute to the autonomous shipping age and seek to secure a leadership position in this rapidly growing market.
