Netherlands-based Kotug demonstrated a combination of remote controlled tugboat sailing with the RT BORKUM and remote controlled fire fighting at the Innovation Expo 2018 in Rotterdam.
Kotug said that unmanned remote controlled ships would be the first step to ultimately unmanned autonomous shipping.
However, it was observed that unmanned shipping did not yet comply with current rules and regulations. Rules needed to be amended before tugs could start performing tasks fully autonomously.
The joint project, privately funded, comprised the following stakeholders:
Alphatron : Camera visualization and system integration in the consoles
KOTUG : Project management and supported MAROF student with Thesis “Remote controlled tug boat “
KPN : providing data sim cards for stable 4G internet connection
M2M Blue : Stable data connection with VPN tunnel (4G and LAN connection
combined)
OnBoard : conversion of the steering and engine control signal to internet protocol and vice versa
Rotortug : Owner of the RT BORKUM
Veth : Steering and engine control system to take over from local console to
remote control and vice versa.