Rolls-Royce has unveiled a new concept for an autonomous, remotely controlled cargo ship which could be used by the end of the decade.
After years of research and development, Rolls-Royce holdings has unveiled a new concept video for a remotely controlled cargo ship which could see use by 2020.
The cargo ship, which could be monitored by a captain stationed ashore – or at any location in the world, really – would be put to use in the commercial sector.
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Rolls-Royce Holdings have begun trialling an autonomous ship control system, while the company is simultaneously testing different the effects of different climatic scenarios on the system.
While the company asserts that the concept will mature into a working, seaworthy vessel by 2020, it has clarified that maritime regulations and certain security implications would need to be examined.
As DigitalTrends states, an obvious risk to an autonomous vessel would be the risk of piracy; while a human crew would naturally be placed out of risk, vital cargo could not only be at risk from seaborne pirates but further land-based hackers.
https://youtu.be/vg0A9Ve7SxE
Rolls-Royce have stated their intent to work around that particular problem, but stopped short of elaborating on details.
The autonomous Rolls-Royce cargo vessels have been redesigned to strip away a bridge and living quarters so that a maximum of storage space is accommodated to storage. The company claims that an autonomous ship would be far cheaper to maintain and faster to operate.
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What are your thoughts on Rolls-Royce developing an autonomous cargo ship? What implication could such a vessel have for full-time sailors and dedicated cargo crews? Be sure to let us know your opinion in the comments below!
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Source: DigitalTrends
