Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics announced has successfully commissioned an SM300 autonomous control system aboard a HamiltonJet-powered workboat in New Zealand.
HamiltonJet is now trialing this marine technology and has offered to provide on-demand customer demonstrations in the Southern Hemisphere.
The combination of Sea Machines and HamiltonJet systems for commercial vessels gives owners greater operational capability by enabling autonomous control of commercial vessels executing nearshore or coastal missions.
The integration of water-jets delivers increased maneuverability, precise station-keeping and even emergency stops. The internal nature of a water jet drive also increases confidence when running autonomously and allows shallower-water operation.
As well as offering full autonomy, the Sea Machines system can also act as an on-board skipper aid for precise waypoint following or as a remote-helm control system for on- or off-board use.
HamiltonJet commercial customers primarily operate in the marine security, survey, search and rescue, firefighting, ferry, aquaculture and pilot boat sectors.
Ahead of the install, the companies’ respective development teams worked from opposite sides of the Earth to ensure the Sea Machines system could digitally communicate with the proven HamiltonJetlink interface for autonomous systems. The installation and integration of the SM300 was completed in Christchurch without direct oversight by Sea Machines, a success made possible by the system’s intentional plug-and-perform interfaces.
Sea Machines’ Michael G. Johnson, CEO said: “As an early adopter of Sea Machines technologies, HamiltonJet again reaffirms its reputation as an innovator and advanced solutions provider for commercial marine operators.”