British scientists are developing a new generation of boats that can be deployed in important surveillance operations at sea while keeping sailors safe. The project is based on a technology that can be outfitted in Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) designed to allow the vessels to operate on their own.
Certainly, an RIB looks like an ordinary speed boat rather than some overly futuristic robotic drone patrolling the sea. It is, for instance, primarily made of inflatable material to maintain bouyancy. But make no mistake. Despite its conventional appearance, the boat carries cutting edge technology that allows one to sail autonomously or be remotely controlled by a pilot.
The drone boat is equipped with a sophisticated set of sensors, which include state-of-the-art navigation radar, 360-degree panoramic infrared camera and a laser range finder, the Daily Mail reported. These technologies provide navigational and surveillance range that ensure that vehicle is successful in its mission without direct human intervention.
The RIB is also a heavily modified ocean-going craft. It can operate autonomously or via remote control for 12 hours and can reach speeds of up to 44 mph, reported the Daily Mail. It could potentially rival the drone boat technology being tested by the U.S. Navy, which is capable of maneuvering and even defending friendly ships, according to The Verge.
The boat drone is built by BAE Systems, the creator of the Taranis Drone, a machine that is considered U.K.'s most advanced and, certainly, most secretive, as HNGN previously reported. The unmanned system and software algorithms for the RIBs are developed in collaboration with unmanned and autonomous specialist ASV.
