An autonomous boat presented at CES 2022
Like many players in the maritime world, the Korean group Hyundai Heavy Industries is very interested in the automation of boat piloting. With its subsidiary Avikus, the HHI group presented an autonomous pleasure boat at CES 2022 in Las Vegas, an international electronics event. The manufacturer exhibited a 6-meter unit equipped with sensors and a dashboard allowing visitors to visualize the camera and virtual reality technologies used.
HHI says it has already validated its first full-scale trials. A 12-person cruise through a Korean canal and port site was successfully conducted autonomously in June 2021.
Yachting, a springboard for autonomous boats
Present in many fields, HHI sees in the project the application of various skills. The group, which has a strong presence in the construction of commercial ships, has an engine subsidiary with Hyundai Doosan, but also a robotics specialist, Hyundai Robotics, and autonomous navigation systems through Avikus.
"Autonomous navigation technology enables easier access to boating, offers logistical innovations and transforms all aspects of maritime development. Avikus will become the first company in the world to operate a large-scale commercial vessel on the ocean next year," says a Hyundai Heavy Industries Group spokesperson.
