China has become the first country to launch an autonomous carrier ship for drones, as well as unmanned exploration and diving boats. The Zhu Hai Yun is capable of performing maritime surveillance tasks without a crew. According to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the world’s first autonomous carrier ship that can perform maritime surveillance tasks without a crew has been launched by China. In addition to search and rescue operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms, the Zhu Hai Yun is also designed to help observe marine ecosystems. The Huangpu-Wenchong shipyard built the 88.5-meter-long, 14-meter-wide, and 6.1-meter-high ship in just ten months. The Zhu Hai Yun can reach speeds of up to 18 knots (33 km/h), and its autonomous control system is based on the Mobile Ocean Stereo Observing System (IMOSOS) artificial intelligence (AI) technology developed by the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory.
The Zhu Hai Yun is equipped with various drones, unmanned submarines, and intelligent buoys that can perform all types of underwater and surface observations. The combination of these technologies is expected to make marine observation and surveillance much more efficient. The ship is primarily intended for research purposes, according to the report. However, it cannot be ruled out that it may also be used for military purposes. All reconnaissance, energy, and propulsion systems were developed in China, according to the SCMP.
The launch of the Zhu Hai Yun marks a significant milestone in the development of autonomous maritime technology. The ship’s ability to perform surveillance tasks without a crew could have far-reaching implications for the future of maritime operations. The Zhu Hai Yun is expected to play a crucial role in marine research and environmental protection, as well as search and rescue operations and maintenance of offshore wind farms. The development of autonomous maritime technology is likely to continue to accelerate, with China at the forefront of this trend.
