{"id":868,"date":"2021-08-09T11:39:00","date_gmt":"2021-08-09T10:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mercator.nfdtesting.uk\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/2021\/08\/09\/where-automation-ends-and-autonomy-begins\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T21:54:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T20:54:47","slug":"where-automation-ends-and-autonomy-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/news\/opinion\/where-automation-ends-and-autonomy-begins\/","title":{"rendered":"Where automation ends and autonomy begins"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"gallery storyGallery inlineGallery\" data-gallery-caption=\"hide\"><button class=\"show-fullscreen\" data-url=\"\/attachment?storycode=1446614&amp;attype=G&amp;atcode=200074&amp;gallery=15037\">Full screen in popup<\/button><\/p>\n<div class=\"sleeve\">\n<div class=\"swiper-container galleryItems\">\n<ul class=\"controls\">\n<li class=\"previous disabled\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"><span>Previous<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<li class=\"next\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\"><span>Next<\/span><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-url=\"\/attachment?storycode=1446614&amp;attype=G&amp;atcode=200074&amp;gallery=15037\">\n<div class=\"sleeve\">\n<div class=\"display\">\n<div class=\"imageWrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded  wp-image-869\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside.webp\" width=\"2362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside.webp 1600w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside-300x169.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside-800x450.webp 800w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/00_200074_ABB-Marine-Electrification-Film-Control-room-dockside-400x225.webp 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption hide\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"description\">A system that begins to complete or execute any aspect of the \u2018perception \u2013 understanding \u2013 problem-solving\u2019 loop can be considered to have aspects of autonomy (Credit: ABB Marine &amp; Ports)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"swiper-slide\" data-url=\"\/attachment?storycode=1446614&amp;attype=G&amp;atcode=200073&amp;gallery=15037\">\n<div class=\"sleeve\">\n<div class=\"display\">\n<div class=\"imageWrapper\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyloaded  wp-image-870\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/01_200073_Kalevi-Tervo.webp\" width=\"899\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/01_200073_Kalevi-Tervo.webp 1348w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/01_200073_Kalevi-Tervo-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/01_200073_Kalevi-Tervo-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/01_200073_Kalevi-Tervo-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2021\/08\/01_200073_Kalevi-Tervo-600x400.webp 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1348px) 100vw, 1348px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"caption hide\">\n<div>\n<p class=\"description\">Dr. Kalevi Tervo, Corporate Executive Engineer and Global Program Manager at ABB Marine &amp; Ports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"options\">\n<p class=\"counter\"><span class=\"current-index\">1<\/span>\/2<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#\" class=\"toggle-caption hide\" tabindex=\"0\">show caption<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Navigation on autopilot<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Automation systems rely on clearly defined logic, mathematical models and algorithms to guide their actions. An example is a ship\u2019s autopilot system tasked with controlling course according to a predetermined setpoint \u2013 such as true heading at 90 degrees. The autopilot senses the vessel\u2019s heading using a gyrocompass, analyses the deviation between actual and desired heading and adjusts the rudder angle accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>Mathematical models and algorithms can be designed to enable a conventional automation system to handle very complex tasks, but the technology is only as sophisticated as the input it receives \u2013 it cannot \u2018think\u2019 for itself. If the actual situation calls for a deviation from the plan, the system is missing these inputs as well as the capability to analyse those, and therefore is unable to respond appropriately. As a result, human intervention is required to bring the operation to a successful conclusion.<\/p>\n<p>For instance, if the vessel is on course to collide with another ship, the ability to understand the risk and adjust course in line with the rules of the road relies on the operator\u2019s perception, understanding and decision-making capabilities. So, while a standard automation system can sense, analyse and act based on existing input, it lacks the ability to recognise and comprehend unexpected threats and present solutions to deviate from those inputs and mitigate the risks associated with the situation.<\/p>\n<p>An autonomous system, by contrast, simulates these human faculties within the scope of a particular operation. An autonomous navigation system would be able to perceive another ship, interpret the threat and change course to prevent a collision in a safe and efficient manner. However, in the foreseeable future even an autonomous system would require a human in the loop to complement the operation in a collaborative manner. In fact, the combination of human capabilities and experience, and autonomous technology can do a better job together than any one of the two could do alone.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Automated auxiliaries<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Autonomous and automation systems are not only used for vessel navigation; the technology is also deployed in auxiliary machinery such as cranes. An advanced automated (but not autonomous) crane can adapt its behaviour depending on factors such as the length of a rope or the mass of a load. The effects of these variables are relatively simple and can be described with mathematical modelling.<\/p>\n<p>Again, however, if the automated crane was presented with an unforeseen obstacle preventing it from hoisting the load, it would rely on the intervention of a human operator. An autonomous crane, on the other hand, could \u2018perceive\u2019 the item, recognize that it presented an obstruction and find an alternative path by which to move the load. Again, the human supervisor would be on hand to intervene if necessary.<\/p>\n<p>The distinction between automation and autonomy, then, lies in the presence, or absence, of the decision-making cycle that includes perception, understanding and problem-solving. In short, a system can be considered autonomous where technology steps in to handle multi-sensory perception and interpretation of the current situation based on previous experience or learned concepts to apply spontaneous problem-solving.<\/p>\n<p>It is worthwhile to note, however, that autonomy is not about an \u2018all or nothing\u2019 approach. A system that begins to complete or execute any aspect of the \u2018perception \u2013 understanding \u2013 problem-solving\u2019 loop can be considered to have aspects of autonomy. This is due to the fact that such a system is able to partially or fully execute tasks which, by contrast, would be only done by human in an automation system.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The far end of the spectrum<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although autonomous systems can mimic certain cognitive processes and take action towards a favourable outcome, today their abilities are limited to specific tasks \u2013 like navigating a ship or controlling industrial machinery. A fully autonomous system, regardless of the context of its application, would apply humanlike creativity, judgment, learning and knowledge to solve any number or any type of problems in any context.<\/p>\n<p>Today, \u2018generic AI\u2019 does not exist, and it is likely to be a decade \u2013 at least \u2013 before the technology with the ability to learn any type of application emerges without context-specific tailoring. And even then, humans will remain key for supervising the vast majority of shipboard activities. Yet, even in its current stage of maturity, autonomy is a valuable tool which is easing the physical and mental burden on shipmaster and crew and which \u2013 already \u2013 is changing the roles of those working on board ship for the better, safer and more efficient operations. And even when the level of automation increases, we will always need competent crew working alongside the technology.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As the use of automated processes in shipping increases, and AI matures, the time is ripe for a clearer understanding of when an automation system becomes an autonomous one, writes Dr. Kalevi Tervo of ABB Marine &amp; Ports.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":869,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"sponsor":[],"class_list":["post-868","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/868","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=868"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/868\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":871,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/868\/revisions\/871"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/869"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=868"},{"taxonomy":"sponsor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.motorship.com\/propulsion-and-future-fuels-conference\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/sponsor?post=868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}