There are multiple intentions for current research projects, such as saving cost through more efficient logistics, maintenance or operations, reducing human-error through better information and decision support, or making coastal transportation more environmentally friendly.

Raytheon Anschütz, a business of Raytheon Technologies, is involved in the Clean Autonomous Public Transport Network (CAPTN), a regional initiative autonomously operating ferry for local public transport on the Kiel Fjord. More than 100,000 cars daily use the city’s motorways to go around Kiel Fjord and the low-emission ferry plan saves time and is better for the planet.

Funded from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, the CAPTN initiative now starts building an autonomous ferry that will serve as a research platform in a test field on the Kiel Fjord.

The test platform explores how to control and navigate autonomous ships in a safe and efficient way using low-emission passenger ferries that connect the East and West banks of the Kiel Fjord. Raytheon Anschütz develops autonomous navigation and control technology, including assistance functions for collision avoidance, track control and docking.

Secure, high-performance communication from ship to ship and from ship and shore delivers real-time situation awareness and recommendations to shore-based personnel in a control center who monitor and control the platform remotely.

“The knowledge and technology from this program give us a boost on our way toward more automated navigation and assistance systems,” says Daniel Sommerstedt, who is responsible for strategic development and technology road maps at Raytheon Anschütz.