Korea Maritime & Ocean University Researchers Develop Breakthrough Method In Autonomous Ship Navigation

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Researchers associated with the Korea Maritime & Ocean University have developed a new strategy for the path-following performances of autonomous vessels. In recent research, scientists have investigated the path-following performances of maritime autonomous surface ships (abbreviated MASS) with the help of a free-running model on computational fluid dynamics. The findings can help ensure safer autonomous navigation with lowered propulsion power.

A critical need of MASS is its ability to follow a pre-established path while at sea, considering factors like obstacles, ship manoeuvrability, and water depth. Any deviations from the path for any reason pose risks such as contact, collision, or grounding incidents.

Current strategies for assessing this path-following performance of marine autonomous vessels cannot grasp the complicated interactions between the propeller, hull, and rudder, as well as external loads of vessels, leading to inaccurate estimates of such path-following performance.

In its research, the National Korea Maritime & Ocean University applied a free-running computational fluid dynamics (abbreviated CFD) model with a line-of-sight (LOS) guidance system at low speeds and under adverse weather conditions. In the case of the bow and beam waves simulation, the deviations were reduced with a rise in the propulsion power.

In contrast, in the case of quartering waves, propulsion power had a negligible impact on the deviations. Besides, the heave and pitch responses of the vessel were influenced heavily by the directions of incident waves. In these three cases, the roll amplitudes were consistently below 1.5 degrees.

The proposed CFD-based model can offer a priceless contribution to boosting the safety of autonomous navigation. Besides, it can provide low-cost alternatives to free-running model-scale experiments or full-scale sea trials, explained Daejeong Kim, who is associated with the National Korea Maritime & Ocean University’s Division of Navigation Convergence Studies.

Reference: Splash247

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