HD Hyundai’s ship autonomous navigation subsidiary, Avikus, has introduced its NeuBoat level 2 autonomous navigation system for recreational boats and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with marine electronics company Raymarine to bring the product to market.
NeuBoat is a combination of ‘neuron’ and ‘boat’, with Avikus claiming that the AI-based autonomous system can act as the vessel ‘brain’ in managing situational awareness, recognition, decision making and control in various maritime conditions.
The agreement with Raymarine will see the firms launch a joint research and development project to install the autonomous navigation system within a multi-function display for boats manufactured by Raymarine.
“This MoU is ground-breaking as it will result in future boaters being able to have all their navigational equipment from Raymarine combined with Avikus NeuBoat, the next generation autonomous navigation system,” said Dohyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus.
“No other technology has changed the boating experience the way NeuBoat will. Boating on the open water is often seen as the ultimate experience of freedom, but what kind of freedom is it when you must constantly worry about collisions, safety and navigation? With NeuBoat you can experience the true freedom of the open sea on your own terms.”
In June 2022, Avikus successfully conducted the world’s first transoceanic voyage of an ultra-large LNG carrier based on autonomous navigation technology, and has since booked orders for its HiNAS 2.0 autonomous control system for large vessels from SK Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine.
The company says that it now intends to begin active actively promoting sales on a global basis, with the goal of achieving KRW 200 billion (approx. $140 million) in revenue in 2026.
