Samsung’s autonomous ship software takes important step
Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Samsung Heavy Industries for its Samsung Autonomous Ship (SAS) Autonomous Navigation System and SVESSEL® Communications System.
The software Autonomous Navigation System comprises an Integrated Bridge System, situational awareness tools and SHI’s Anti-Collision Decision-Making System. It is claimed that by integrating these features with existing navigation equipment, the latest technology can eliminate human error, a principal cause of shipping accidents.
The SAS software can be installed alongside other ship systems and is designed to evaluate collision risks around a vessel whilst also controlling ship direction and speed to avoid objects. Meanwhile, the SVESSEL system monitors a ship’s energy consumption and supports optimal trim, route and speed. A ‘user experience’ feature enables both ship personnel and shore staff to check and use functions.
Lloyd’s Register’s North Asia TSO manager, Young-Doo Kim, commented: “This AiP is another landmark moment in LR and SHI’s joint development project for autonomous ship ready design. The Autonomous Navigation System and SVESSEL communication system developed by SHI as part of Samsung Autonomous Ship offers a wide variety of integrated digital solutions to mitigate human error at sea, a fundamental requirement if we are to reduce the number of maritime accidents and make our industry safer. LR is extremely proud to have played a part in this significant project.”
Hyun Joe Kim, vice president and head of SHI’s Autonomous Ship Research Center, said: “SAS can help crews by providing collision alarms and reliable routes to avoid the collision in a variety encounters, which contributes to the safer marine environments. I'm very pleased to receive the AiP for SAS and SVESSEL from LR. It is another proof of very good collaborations between SHI and LR during the certification process as we have done before. SHI continues the development of technologies on digitalisation and automatic navigation to provide the most innovative ships to our customers.”
The AiP follows the signing by LR and SHI of a Memorandum of Understanding at Posidonia last year. The parties agreed to develop an autonomous-ready ship design to support maritime digitalisation and the growing demand for the operational benefits of increased autonomy.
