CAPTN project takes major step forward
The research platform MV Wavelab can now be remotely monitored (Source: Anschütz)
The commissioning of a Shore Control Centre at Anschütz will now enable the real-time tracking of research platform MV Wavelab as part of the Clean Autonomous Public Transportation Network (CAPTN) project on the Kiel Fjord.
The CAPTN initiative aims to connect the east and west banks of the Kiel Fjord with autonomous, low-emission passenger ferries. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digitalisation and Transport, a range of companies and universities are involved in researching and developing the necessary technologies.
The MV Wavelab’s sensors and navigation systems can now be accessed remotely, and the vessel’s steering and propulsion systems can be controlled at a distance. The project partners are now creating a digital twin in the control centre, where all the data from the autonomous vessel’s sensors and systems will be stored.
Daniel Sommerstedt, project manager for CAPTN at Anschütz, commented: "We are pleased that with the commissioning of the Shore Control Centre at Anschütz, we are now taking a big step towards autonomous as well as semi-autonomous driving tests in the digital field in Kiel."
The large volume of data that is exchanged in real time between ship and shore requires a powerful communications setup on both the Fjord and on shore. The system architecture is based on a 5G mobile network and a high-performance WiFi-6 network provided by Addix GmbH.
Sommerstedt explained: "In the shore control centre, we have the possibility to feed a lot of new data into our bridge platform, process it, and then visualise it in an overall maritime picture. One of the goals of the next research stage is to find out what information needs to be presented to users and in which way, so that they can monitor and remotely control the Wavelab safely and efficiently."
Partners in the project include Addix GmbH, AVL Deutschland, City of Kiel, HH Vision, Kiel University, Port of Kiel GmbH, Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft Kiel mbH, Wissenschaftszentrum Kiel GmbH, and WTD 71.
