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AI vessels to make ocean research greener and more efficient

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The biggest ever AI-powered autonomous vessel is set to traverse the Atlantic to gather vital oceanic research on microplastics.

Marking the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower launch in 1620, computing conglomerate IBM and non-profit research firm ProMare have unveiled their autonomous vessel of the same name. Without so much as a pilgrim on board this time around, 2020โ€™s 15-meter trimaran is officially the biggest captainless ship on record.

Just last week we reported on Oceanbird, the Swedish sailing ship cleaning up the maritime industry with its eco-friendly carrier reducing emissions of towing vessels by up to 90%. The Mayflower, however, is more concerned with gathering vital data on climate change, analysing microplastics, and detecting the presence of marine wildlife.

Following a similar route to its historic predecessor, the Mayflower will attempt a trans-Atlantic crossing from Plymouth to Cape Cod in Spring 2021 for its first voyage. Utilising solar and wind power to run all systems, the aerodynamic aluminium vessel will employ cloud-based AI programming to detect and react to potential hazards also relaying its position to other ships. Travelling at speeds of up to 20 knots (23mph), the debut expedition is estimated to take around two to three weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions.

Rather than a crew or living quarters inside the vessel, three onboard state-of-the-art experiments are constantly running. The first sees 100 distinct water samples collected for human analysis back on land, the second uses GPS systems to accurately map out the level of the ocean – minus the tide, weather, and wind – and the third involves continually running a hydrophone to listen for whales and marine life.

The Mayflower was engineered with the aim of creating a more climate friendly and cost-effective approach to ocean research, and it could revolutionize the industry at a time where innovation is truly needed. Ocean research projects have taken big financial and logistical hits in 2020 thanks to Covid-19, and our climate data is becoming less reliable as a result according to UNESCOโ€™s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.

Therefore, by proving robotic vessels capable of completing lengthy voyages safely and effectively (without on-hand human intervention), not only can we mitigate the issues caused by the pandemic, but we can vastly improve our efficiency for the years ahead. Ocean research typically involves a ton of prep and sourcing – not to mention accommodating a team of specialists and technicians. Readying a fully robotic vessel, however, is as simple as checking the equipment and sending it on its merry way.

As we speak, the Mayflower is undergoing sea trials and engineers are putting its AI captain through the ringer with over a million nautical images. Allied Marker Research believes the auto shipping market could be worth $135 bn by 2030, and a hitch free mission for the Mayflower in April 2021 could go a long way to making this a reality.

Good thing robots donโ€™t feel pressure.

Senior Writer London, UK

I’m Jamie (He/Him), the Editor in Chief at Thred. Keeping up with gaming and revolutionary technology is my forte, but when away from my keyboard, you’ll probably find me wrapped around a large Tango ice blast at the latest mediocre horror flick. Follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn and drop me some ideas/feedback viaย email.

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