- On the 21st, Samsung Heavy launched `SHIFT-Auto` at its Geoje shipyard for autonomous navigation research. 

- Samsung Heavy plans to advance fully autonomous vessel operations system by developing an AI integrated vessel model.

On the 21st, SHI announced the launching of its `SHIFT-Auto, SHI Future Transportation-Autonomous’, a mission-based autonomous research vessel that is equipped with fully autonomous operations function during the design stage. 

High-level officials including Sung-an Choi, CEO of SHI, Deputy Minister of Industry Policy, and representatives of the classification society boarded `SHIFT-Auto` after the launching ceremony for a test ride in Goheun Bay off Geoje Island, South Korea and experienced autonomous operation technology.

A 12-person catamaran, ‘SHIFT-Auto (photo)’ minimizes the vessel`s vibration to optimize itself for autonomous operations demonstration. Equipped with Samsung Electronics’ Internet of Things (IoT) system, SHIFT-Auto secured safety as well as data integrity.

* Catamaran : A vessel type with two parallel hulls of equal size that minimizes vibration and ensures safety. 

So far, most of the autonomous systems that have been demonstrated focused on limited functions such as obstacle identification and route guidance. With SHIFT-Auto, SHI can now test a variety of autonomous operations such as automatic docking and voice-based control to expand the scope of technology development.

SHI will test a `mission-based fully autonomous operations` technology that can do automatic docking, driving, and anchoring without crew intervention. Also, SHI will develop an AI and IoT integrated autonomous operations platform in the future. 

“SHIFT-Auto is a milestone for reaching fully autonomous operations technology,” said Dong-yeon Lee, Vice President and Head of SHI’s Shipbuilding & Marine Research Institute. “Samsung Heavy will step up as a global leader in the autonomous operations sector.”

Samsung Heavy is achieving continuous success in testing vessels equipped with self-developed autonomous operations system. SHI demonstrated autonomous navigation last year on an Evergreen containership that completed a 1,500 km (800 nautical mile) voyage in the South China Sea. In October, the Mokpo Maritime University training ship `Saegaero` also conducted a 2,800 km (1,500 nautical mile) demonstration on a route in the Philippines. With such successful cases, SHI is taking a leap towards a commercial development of its autonomous operations system.