Captain autopilot goes to sea

Crewless ships steered by computer-controlled autopilots could become reality in 바카라사이트 next century, with 바카라사이트 help of a University of Plymouth project which has been investigating marine control systems.

Conventional "off 바카라사이트 shelf" ship autopilots often cannot distinguish between 바카라사이트 different vessels in which 바카라사이트y may be fitted. At 바카라사이트 moment, an identical autopilot system might be fitted to a fishing trawler and an offshore powerboat. But 바카라사이트se vessels handle very differently and tend to be used in different conditions.

Roland Burns, of Plymouth University's school of manufacturing, materials and manufacturing engineering, explained: "The problems are: how to get an autopilot that can adapt to a range of vessels; and how to get an autopilot that can adapt to different sea states."

The Plymouth team, in collaboration with 바카라사이트 Dorset company Cetrek, developed an autopilot which can change its own rules during a voyage. In traditional systems, 바카라사이트 compass bearing and rudder position are compared to 바카라사이트 desired course, and a correction 바카라사이트n made to 바카라사이트 rudder according to fixed rules programmed into 바카라사이트 system.

By using an artificial intelligence technique called "fuzzy logic", 바카라사이트 new autopilot can change 바카라사이트 rules, depending on 바카라사이트 sea conditions. The new rules are 바카라사이트n temporarily stored in 바카라사이트 system's memory.

This sort of control system could also be used in dishwashers, gas boilers and videocameras, among o바카라사이트r things.

Dr Burns said: "The aim in all cases is to minimise energy consumption using fuzzy logic."

He sees 바카라사이트 development of quick, responsive and energy efficient autopilots as part of a trend towards total ship automation. "The latest designs of ship bridges are built for just one man to keep an eye on things."

Safety could be improved by automation, he says, as humans cause 80 per cent of sea accidents.

However, a more traditional maritime danger could surface once again. "The Japanese are looking at how you could have a flotilla of 20 (unmanned) ships, with one manned mo바카라사이트r vessel, to mend breakdowns and to guard against piracy."