Rolls-Royce is expanding its range of mtu NautIQ ship automation systems with three new products: mtu NautIQ CoPilot, mtu NautIQ CoOperate and mtu NautIQ CoDirect, which each offer different levels of intelligent crew support, autonomous control, and remote command capabilities.
According to the company, customers in all marine applications will gain significant operational advantages and benefits in terms of safety, efficiency, environmental impact, and climate friendliness. The new products are the next step in the cooperation between Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous control and remote-vessel command systems. The development of the mtu NautIQ product range is at the core of Rolls-Royce’s strategy to provide customers with complete propulsion and control solutions from ‘bridge to propeller’.
mtu NautIQ CoPilot is the most advanced intelligent pilot assist system of the new product range. Depending on operating mode, the human-on-the-loop system can either autonomously control a planned voyage from start to finish, or not intervene at all in human operations, while only guiding the operator. The system enables navigation with greater precision and predictability, helping to reduce costs, fuel consumption and emissions. As a step towards more climate-friendly marine operations, its is made possible by the fusion of digital marine sensors, embedded electronic charts, advanced AI algorithms and an advanced broad-area computer vision system.
mtu NautIQ CoOperate is an optionally autonomous ship navigation command system which enables off-vessel remote command, including all payloads on board. The system can take over routine and monotonous vessel tasks and it allows crews to focus on more important aspects of their missions. The system has recently proven itself in the field onboard tug Nellie Bly which used the system to complete a 1,000 naut mile roundtrip from Hamburg around Denmark, remotely commanded from an office in Boston, US, 3,000 miles away. As with all the new products, operators can intervene at any moment if necessary.
mtu NautIQ CoDirect is a wireless, remote-helm system that can control a vessel’s engines, steering and transmission as well as payload functions such as winches and cranes from a distance of up to 1,000m. This allows marine crews to operate the vessel from the best vantage point, increasing safety and efficiency. For example, a tug operator can leave the wheelhouse to operate the vessel from a location with better visibility.
Michael Johnson, CEO and founder of Sea Machines, said: “This continued partnership is significant because it brings together a foremost marine power and propulsion solutions provider and the leading developer of advanced and AI-based vessel control systems. Our alliance not only increases access to intelligent technologies that can positively impact operators’ bottom lines, productivity, eco-stewardship and safety, but it also provides proof of the growing market demand for these types of systems for real-world operations. We thank Rolls-Royce for their continued trust in our technology and look forward to seeing them in use aboard a variety of vessel types globally.”
Denise Kurtulus, VP Global Marine, Rolls-Royce Power Systems, said: “I am excited to see how quickly the teams of Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines have turned our joint vision into products available for our customers. This addition to our mtu NautIQ product portfolio is an important part of our journey towards a provider of integrated sustainable solutions. And it’s a fantastic example of how we, as a company with long history and tradition, implement cutting-edge technology – which benefits our customers and the environment alike – in a very agile way.”
