WP 10500 [DST]

Now that all the necessary components have been developed in the previous work packages, field testing is taking place: In a series of test runs defined in WP 2300 and covering both regular operation and emergency scenarios, the remote control system and the system behavior composed of the ship and the remote control system are being tested. It must be demonstrated that it meets all specified requirements. During field testing, any deficiencies identified in previous work packages must be rectified. Field testing therefore goes beyond the evaluations in previous work packages. Field testing represents the final overall test under functional and safety requirements. Individual (dry) evaluations can be repeated under real conditions in the context of the overall system evaluation (field testing).

In addition to the pure functionality, it is decisive at this point what influence the remote control has both on the ship’s behavior (possibly changed driving behavior) and on the (then remote) skipper. Furthermore, the situations of takeover (takeover of a remote vessel from a skipper on board or from an autopilot) and handover (to the skipper on board or to an autopilot) are of high importance. In this context, as in road-based transport, the skills of the skippers involved in particular play a decisive role in the successful handover of the system.

Field testing is to take place with the intensive involvement of the shipping companies and the GDWS and CCNR.

Individual components of the remote control system, in particular the transmission of sensor data from the ship to the remote control station, are to be tested in practice at an earlier stage. This will provide important insights into the capacity and characteristics of the transmission, which may be of great importance for further implementation.

This work package has a strong empirical character, in combination with a new hardly researched subject area (remote control and takeover / handover in the field of shipping). As a consequence, unforeseen issues may arise that result in more in-depth investigations. Since this work cannot be completely planned in advance, the focus here is on a particularly detailed documentation of the experimental setup and conditions in order to support approaches for possible subsequent research in this subject area.