Using AI to navigate

The talk will present research in the marine autonomous area using artificial intelligent techniques in the Autonomous Marine Systems Research Group at the University of Plymouth. With the growing power of computing and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and evolutionary techniques, machine IQ has increased tremendously, surpassing human capability in some instances. We have moved into the era of autonomous machines that can think and act like a human are prevalent in almost every sector. The topic will cover the important steps in achieving maritime autonomy and the contribution of artificial intelligence techniques. These are all questions that need to be discussed and answered in the autonomous vessels area, but certainly, the possibilities appear limitless. But can a vessel really achieve full autonomy? Are we ready to remove humans from the equation and use a vessel to travel fully autonomously? Are we limiting ourselves or breaching the sector’s boundaries?

 

Participants:
Sanjay Sharma : Associate Professor in Intelligent Autonomous Control Systems, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, University of Plymouth

Associate Professor Sanjay Sharma is a Reader in the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (SECAM) at the University of Plymouth. Assoc. Prof. Sharma is head of the Autonomous Marine Systems (AMS) research group in SECAM and leads a group of fifteen academics and researchers with complementary and diverse experience and skills in Mechanical Engineering, Marine Engineering and Robotics. He has extensive experience in the design, development and application of artificial intelligence techniques in navigation, guidance and control of marine robotics and unmanned marine craft and is the author of over 100 books, journals and refereed conference publications. He is a Member of the IMechE (Institution of Mechanical Engineers) Mechatronics, Informatics & Control Group, nominated IMechE representative to UKACC (United Kingdom Automatic Control Council) and a nominated Member of the International Federation of Automatic Control (IFAC) technical committee on Intelligent Autonomous Vehicles. He serves as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Proceeding of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), Part M: Journal of Engineering for the Maritime Environment (JEME), and Editorial Board of Drones international open access, peer-reviewed journal.
With the support of British Council