China has started the construction of a test field for autonomous ships in Zhuhai, Guangdong.
The project will be the first of its kind in Asia and could become the world’s largest offshore test field for unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), according to Zhuhai China.
Expected to be the country’s main base for research into autonomous ship technology in the coming three to five years, the Wanshan Marine Test Field will provide an area of 771 square kilometers.
The test field would enable the testing of technologies such as autonomous obstacle avoidance and steering, China.org.cn reported.
As informed, the project is a result of a partnership between Zhuhai government, China Classification Society (CCS), Wuhan University of Technology and Zhuhai Yunzhou Intelligence Technology.
Last year, industry bodies in China, led by HNA Technology Logistics Group and CSS established the unmanned cargo ship development alliance. The alliance is founder and facilitator of technical product rules, in addition to organizing and leading future development of unmanned shipping.
World Maritime News Staff