船舶自動駕駛技術新創公司Eightknot Inc.（所在地：大阪府堺市，代表取締役：木村裕人，以下稱「本公司」）在此宣布，本公司開發的自主航行技術已用於「利用自主型海洋無人機、無人潛水機進行利用實證事業」的實證試驗。此事業由本公司的合作夥伴FullDepth Inc.（代表取締役社長：吉賀 智司）、東洋工程株式會社（代表取締役社長：細井 榮治）、新日鐵工程株式會社（代表取締役社長：石倭 行人）及沖電氣工業株式會社（代表取締役社長：森 孝廣）共同執行。
「利用自主型海洋無人機、無人潛水機進行利用實證事業」旨在作為水下自主探測AUV（Autonomous Underwater Vehicle＝自主型無人潛水機）國產化及利用的步驟，以建立數據驅動（DX）型的離岸風力維護管理模式，並制定AUV等社會實施的藍圖。
本次實證試驗中，利用ASV（Autonomous Surface Vehicle＝自主航行船）和ROV（Remotely Operated Vehicle＝遠端操作型無人潛水機），對模擬浮體式離岸風力發電設備的觀測目標進行了無人數據採集。
作為ASV，我們使用了搭載了本公司自主航行平台「Eightknot AI CAPTAIN」的本公司小型船舶「Eight Knot I」。該船能自動生成前往目的地的航線，並透過攝影機和雷達識別其他船隻及障礙物，在避開碰撞的同時自主航行至觀測目標。成功依計畫將船隻自主航行至預定位置，達成了本次實證試驗的目標。
本公司今後也將透過海洋領域的DX，致力於實現一個任何人都能安全且有效利用海洋的社會。
＜關於實證事業詳情＞
FullDepth實證試驗相關新聞稿：
https://fulldepth.co.jp/news/305
關於內閣府AUV利用實證事業：
https://www8.cao.go.jp/ocean/policies/auv/auv_pilot_project/pilot_index.html
＜關於「Eightknot AI CAPTAIN」＞
這是本公司開發的自主航行平台。AI能偵測並自動迴避障礙物及其他船隻，並自動執行從航線設定到安全靠泊的航行操作。可加裝於現有船舶。此外，我們也提供船舶智慧化技術的各個模組，包括導航、自動操船、識別其他船隻等。
常見問題
What is the main purpose of the 'Demonstration Project Utilizing Autonomous Marine Unmanned Vehicles and Unmanned Submersibles'?
The main purpose is to promote the domestic production and utilization of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for underwater exploration. It also aims to develop a data-driven (DX) maintenance model for offshore wind power and create a roadmap for the social implementation of AUVs and similar unmanned systems.
What role did Eightknot's autonomous navigation technology play in the demonstration test?
Eightknot's autonomous navigation platform, 'Eightknot AI CAPTAIN', was implemented on their small vessel 'Eight Knot I'. This vessel acted as an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) and successfully navigated autonomously to a designated observation target, simulating a floating offshore wind power facility, while avoiding obstacles and other vessels.
What kind of facilities were being inspected or observed in this demonstration?
The demonstration involved observing and collecting data from a simulated floating offshore wind power generation facility.
What are the key features of the 'Eightknot AI CAPTAIN' platform?
'Eightknot AI CAPTAIN' is an autonomous navigation platform where AI detects and automatically avoids obstacles and other vessels. It handles route planning to the destination and performs automatic navigation, including safe docking and undocking. It can also be retrofitted to existing vessels.
Who were the main partners involved in this demonstration project?
The project was a collaboration between Eightknot Inc., FullDepth Inc., Toyo Engineering Corporation, NIPPON STEEL ENGINEERING CO., LTD., and OKI Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
