An unmanned robotic ship that is recreating the Mayflower's 1620 maritime in the most modern way has docked near Plymouth Rock, according to AP's report.
More than 400 years after the historic voyage of its namesake from England, the AI-powered Mayflower Autonomous Ship greeted an escort boat as it reached the Massachusetts coastline on Thursday.
As per U.S. law, unmanned vessels are subject to Coast Guard regulations. Hence, it was brought into Plymouth Harbor.
Mayflower's Historical Significance
The sailboat was anchored next to a replica of the actual Mayflower, which carried the Pilgrims to America, and was subject to Coast Guard regulations.
Since an artificial intelligence software operated the 50-foot trimaran, it had no crew members aboard, including a captain and navigator.
In April, it departed once more from the southwest coast of England, but technical malfunctions forced a detour to the Azores Islands in Portugal, then to Canada.
The necessary mechanical and physical adjustments can't be made without someone on board, Rob High said in a statement with AP. High is an IBM software executive working on the project.
Further, the AI-powered ship started its smooth 4-day cruise to Plymouth Harbor on Monday from Halifax, Nova Scotia.
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Who Is Behind the Crewless Ship?
The ship was constructed by IBM and nonprofit maritime research organization ProMare, which has been using it to gather information about microplastic waste, whales, and other scientific studies.
Although there have been a few autonomous experimental ships that have crossed the Atlantic, this is the first ship of its size to travel the seas, according to researchers.
The crew can now begin examining the data from the ship's journey and delving into the performance of the AI system because the expedition has ended, according to High.
He asserted that the prospect of such unpiloted vessels traversing the oceans continues to make it easier to gather all the kinds of data that marine biologists are interested in.
Promare developed the innovative technology known as the Mayflower Autonomous Ship, which seeks to transform maritime travel. This "captainless" ship aims to advance shipping while also improving sustainability.
To develop an AI that can navigate the ocean and discover more about the world's aquatic bodies, IBM teams up with Promoting Marine Research and Exploration (Promare). When compared to research vessels with human crews, the Mayflower Autonomous Ship is said to be more affordable and adaptable.
The robot ship project received backing from numerous multi-million dollar firms, including Rolls Royce, Honeywell, ABB, and Wartsila.
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
