Developments on Remote DP Control and Autopilot with Collision Avoidance System

Transcription

1 Developments on Remote DP Control and Autopilot with Collision Avoidance System and Possible Stepping Stones Towards Autonomous Ships? Exhibition 1

2 For more than seven years MT has worked steadfastily to prepare for the use of Digital Data as well as remoting technologies to enable remote diagnostic, updates, upgrades, testing and commissioning, trending and condition monitoring of all systems Together with classification societies llike DNV-GL and ABS, MT has initiated the process of establishing guidelines for more effective and cost-efficient methods to utilize these data. Specific projects that can be mentioned are: DNV-GL s D-Clas prosjekt DVV-GL and MT s Project future Overlord Exhibition 2

3 PERFORMANCE PROFITABILITY PROTECTION FUTURE Alliance Shipowners, MT, DNVGL, charterer Performance Maintain or enhance technical or operational performance, 40 % reduction of emissions to air Profitability 30 % OPEX reduction ALLIANCE Protection over-delivery on safety, environmental and charterer expectations

4 Full scale pilot projects Fleet-wide implementation

5 Some key steps in MT Development Remote DP Control Autonomous functions used to enhance Autopilot & Docking systems Effective communication solutions to enable novel solutions for operation cooperation Exhibition 5

6 What is an autonomous vessel from a navigation perspective Requires AI Must be able to assess situation and make decisions based on this assessment, not just decision support or rule based Must ensure predictable behaviour, but also be able to act if other vessel(s) deviate from ROR Exhibition 6

7 Source: The journey towards autonomy by P Michael A Rodey Senior Innovation Manager Maersk Exhibition 7

8 Regulations and standards New regulations must be adopted, including transitional period (many years) Standards will have to be developed and implemented Efficient high bandwidth communication solutions with no latency Enable real-time communication and information exchange between all vessels within the operational area? Exhibition 8

9 So: Most likely many years until true autonomous shipping can be realized Until then, autonomous solutions will be implemented for situational assessment and decision support, i.e. to increase situational awareness, efficiency and safety, and NOT primarily to remove the whole crew Exhibition 9

10 Remote DP Control from Remote Monitoring Center Based on it s well proven remoting solutions, Marine Technologies LLC (MT) is continuously developing the technology to do remote operation, assessment and witnessing of a vessel in real time. This include remote FMEA, HIL, autopilot and DP operations. A test version of the Remote DP solution is planned installed installed onboard a vessel together with a remote station in a Remote Monitoring Center (RMC) to initiate pilot testing. Exhibition 10

11 In it s fully developed version, the remote station can be installed anywhere in the world, providing flexibility to the remote operator. The only limitation being the communication channel. Together with DNVGL, Marine Technologies LLC (MT) have completed a first version of a Concept Of Operation (CONOPS) for remote DP control, i.e. a description of how vessels in the future intends to run DP operations with shared control between DPO s onboard and in a remote monitoring center (RMC) ashore. No formal and systematic class approval processes have however been initiated at this stage. Exhibition 11

12 What is Remote DP? Redundant DP operator station placed in 24/7 remote operations rooms. Connected so that the captain can allow remote DP operation on demand. Can not be activated without captain physical interaction (MT Security system) Connected to vessel using Satellite/ Terrestrial communication Allows DP to be watched/controlled remotely Why Remote DP Frees crew for other tasks Remote DP makes operator redundantly supported, for new/unfamiliar DP tasks Allows DP experts to be shared over multiple vessels Exhibition 12

13 RMC HW and SW The remote control center is required to be up to highest operation security standards with i.e. Redundant power supplies, and networks. Onboard HW and SW in addition to standard DP MT security system, ensures data security Is developed as a standard add-in for MT DP systems DP2 and up demands for redundancy of networks and controllers Development so far Developed as part of US navy Project Overlord To be tested on OSV vessel current year MT is working with DNVGL to promote new standards for safe and efficient vessel operation Availability Will be made available for users of MT DP systems as soon as it has passed MT and 3 rd party verification Only to be used for non vital DP operations with solo remote operator until approved by standards agencies Exhibition 13

14 Some key steps in MT Development Remote DP Control Autonomous functions used to enhance Autopilot & Docking systems Effective communication solutions to enable novel solutions for operation cooperation Exhibition 14

15 Collaboration with the Norwegian University of Technology (NTNU) Collision Avoidance System (CAS) meeting IMO requirements Yield right of way (starboard with other vessels on port side) Speed handling when overtaking Stopping vessels when required (when deemed necessary to preven acidents) Also handles vessels not following IMO requirements for safe navigation

16 CAS is an add on to the MT Autopilot that Monitors the movement of obstacles in the path of the vessel under auto pilot When a potential danger is detected that is at safe distance it will notify the captain with an aber light. When a potential danger is more urgent and the captain does not take action, the autopilot will take the appropriate action to keep the vessel at a safe course. In simulator: Exhibition 16

17 Example from NTNU paper (ref Ship Collision Avoidance and COLREGS Compliance using Simulation-Based Control Behavior Selection with Predictive Hazard Assessment Johansen, Perez, Cristofaro )

18 Exhibition 18

19 Testing in both real life and simulator proves CAS to be working in the current state. However the system will require human intervention Acknowledge new course until regulatory bodies approves automatic override. MT works together with i.e. DNVGL for a future approval Current system relies on AIS for tracking other vessels Objects tracked on radar will be supported as next step. The CAS is a vital component of any autonomous vessel projects, and is therefore of interest to multiple parties such as EU projects Availabillity The CAS will be made available as a module for the MT AutoPilot, with an alarm function/acknowledge function for course changes initially Exhibition 19

20 Auto crossing functions Use CAS to dynamically update course to account for temporary obstacles Auto dock at each end Exhibition 20

21 Utilizing MT s own local reference system (MT Origin 1) Targets installed at dock for range and bearing measurements for automatic parking.

22 AutoDepart will use DP to safely move the vessel from dock to transit The MT route planner allows for fixed transit accross known waters. CAS will update the route to account for temporary obstacles At the other end AutoDock will safely move the vessel into port Exhibition 22

23 For AutoDepart and AutoDock the system will rely on local reference points such as MT Ranger for accurate ranging in port environments Use of new high resolution sensors is constantly considered such as K-band radar. Exhibition 23

24 Exhibition 24

25 Some key steps in MT Development Remote DP Control Autonomous functions used to enhance Autopilot & Docking systems Effective communication solutions to enable novel solutions for operation cooperation Exhibition 25

26 Effective communication solutions are required to support remote control, remote monitoring and autonomous operations C-Link is a line of sight communication solution that will provide a bandwidth up to 54 Mbps and a distance up to 40 km, or longer. Multiple C-Links will act together in a mesh network to cover large areas and provide fast, reliable and low latency communication. Exhibition 26

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28 C-Link C-Link C-Link C-Link C-Link 15-90

29 Product Close Range Mid Range Long Range C-Link C-Link C-Link C-Link C-Link Mbps* 13* 2.5 km 4.5* 5 km 54 Mbps* 18* 12 km 5* 20 km 54 Mbps* 18* 12 km 5* 20 km 54 Mbps* 9* 20 km 4.5* 40 km 54 Mbps* 9* 20 km 4.5* 40 km *Based on 20 MHz bandwidth. Can be changed to 40 or 80 MHz on custom configurations, which will double or quadruple the throughput. Expected distances require free line of sight and a minimum antenna height over ground. Specifications are subject to change without any further notice. Exhibition 29

30 C-Link 10 family designed for multiple applications Operational range, km Horizontal coverage 360 degrees Vertical coverage 45 degrees One ethernet cable supplies both power and data Point to Point configuration Point to Multipoint Mesh configurations C-Link

31 C-Link C-Link C-Link US C-Link C-Link US C-Link C-Link US C-Link C-Link US C-Link C-Link US Marine Technologies C-Link Designed for multiple configurations constellations Cost efficient designed for secure and reliable operations. Stainless steel mounting brackets designed for 1.5 pipes.

32 Real-time exchange of large data volumes, e.g. streaming ROV or drone high-quality images/videos Fleet communication vessel-vessel, vessel-shore Managing harbour resources & operations (bunkering, pilot vessels, tugs) Coordinated AHTS/tugboat operations Integration of multiple DP vessel/systems in master-slave(s) Pair-trawling Exhibition 32

33 AND EVENTUALLY AUTONOMOUS SHIPPING Exhibition 33

34 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION Exhibition 34