The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is now ready for its second attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean from Plymouth, United Kingdom, to Plymouth, Massachusetts, without the assistance of an onboard human. The one-of-a-king autonomous ship has been integrated with IBM’s AI Captain, the operation’s digital brain that allows the Mayflower to design its own course across the ocean.
This is an important development because it could lead to more widespread use of autonomous ships in the future. Autonomous ships have the potential to reduce accidents at sea, lower emissions, and improve efficiency. However, there are still some hurdles to clear before autonomous ships can become a reality.
For one thing, autonomous ships will need to be equipped with reliable sensors and AI systems that can navigate safely in all conditions. In addition, there will need to be a way to ensure that autonomous ships can operate seamlessly alongside human-operated vessels. But if these challenges can be overcome, autonomous ships could revolutionize maritime transportation.
