The first patent for the technology of controlling a group of unmanned tugs has been issued in Russia

The methodology was developed by the company “USK – Technologies”The United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) has patented the technology of individual and group (coordinated) operation of unmanned tugboats (automatic tugboats). This is the first invention of its kind in Russia. The methodology was developed by the company “USK – Technologies”, the press service of the corporation reports.
The existing autonomous vessel control systems in Russia provide the possibility of remote control of only one tugboat and do not provide for coordinated control of a group of vessels. The technology developed by USC will allow mooring operations from the shore from a special control post by one person. It is designed, to a greater extent, to work on external and internal raids and at the mooring walls of seaports. Synchronization of tugs is achieved by sending signals from the control station via several radio channels to the head tug, which in turn distributes tasks to a group of tugs. Determining the location of ships is achieved by using global positioning systems.
The principle of operation of the invention contains recommendations for the placement of several unmanned tugs on board the provided vessel, depending on the objectives of the mooring operation and the conditions of its conduct, an assessment of the risks of using automatic tugs in the process of mooring operations, the definition of emergency situations and a description of the rules for changing the modes of operation of the coordinated control system in the event of various equipment malfunctions of autonomous vessels.
The use of algorithms provides an increase in the energy efficiency of coordinated control of a group of automatic tugboats.
The technology was developed within the framework of the federal project “Autonomous Navigation”, implemented within the framework of the initiative “Lighthouses of Technology Development”, which is part of the initiatives of socio-economic development of Russia until 2030.

Original:

В России выдан первый патент на технологию управления группой безэкипажных буксиров (portnews.ru)