Avikus wins world's first orders for level 2 self-navigating system
Sailors watch a monitor during the world's first transoceanic voyage of a large merchant ship using Avikus' HiNAS 2.0 autonomous navigation technology, in this file photo. Courtesy of Avikus
By Park Jae-hyuk
Avikus, an HD Hyundai subsidiary specializing in autonomous navigation technologies, has succeeded in commercializing the level 2 self-navigating system for the first time in the world, the company said Tuesday.
It signed contracts on Monday with two Korean shipping companies ― SK Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine ― to supply the HiNAS 2.0 autonomous navigation system in large vessels.
Starting from August of next year, the system will be installed in 23 vessels, which are currently under construction, including container ships and liquefied natural gas carriers.
According to Avikus, HiNAS 2.0 enables a vessel to handle various unexpected situations by controlling the speed or avoiding collisions through its deep learning technology. The company also said the system can find an optimal route based on actual sailing data, minimizing fuel consumption by automatically controlling engine output.
“We will carry out customized sales activities for global ship owners through the advancement of autonomous navigation technology,” Avikus CEO Lim Do-hyeong said. “In the future, we will strive to equip all large ships in the world with HiNAS 2.0 by obtaining approvals from various shipping associations and countries.”
Avikus also plans to participate in the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2022 in Florida in October, in order to commercialize autonomous navigation systems for leisure boats.