Hyundai Motor and Kia’s mobile robot platform, MobED, has successfully demonstrated autonomous driving capabilities aboard an operating vessel in what is being described as the world’s first onboard test of its kind.
The demonstration was conducted by the Korean Register (KR) in collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia, HMM, HMM Ocean Service (HMM OS), and Goseong Engineering aboard the multipurpose vessel HYUNDAI DUBAI, which was berthed at CJ Logistics’ dedicated steel pier in Changwon, South Korea.
Furthermore, the trial focused on assessing whether a land-based autonomous robot could operate reliably in the challenging conditions of a vessel, where movement, vibration and changing surfaces create additional operational challenges.
As stated, the development, could accelerate the development of smart ships, where robots are deployed in cargo areas to carry out tasks such as safety inspections, monitoring and material transport. The robot can be equipped with various tools, including inspection devices, cameras and delivery modules, allowing it to perform a range of onboard tasks.
During the test, MobED successfully completed straight and curved driving, low- and high-speed movement, route learning and autonomous navigation within the vessel’s cargo area. In narrow onboard passageways, the robot successfully performed route learning and low-speed operation, although it was controlled remotely due to limited space.
The participating organisations said the demonstration confirmed the potential for deploying robots in large cargo spaces without major modifications to ship infrastructure.
They also highlighted possible applications in hazardous environments, such as cargo areas containing explosive or toxic materials, where reducing human exposure could improve safety.
However, the trial also identified challenges for future deployment, particularly in confined spaces such as engine rooms and narrow corridors. The organisations noted that additional sensors or the development of smaller robotic platforms may be required to expand the technology’s onboard applications.