HD Hyundai’s Avikus Supplies Autonomous Navigation Solutions to a Large Fleet of 30 Vessels

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, December 16, 2024

H-Line Shipping signs contract to adopt the autonomous navigation solution ‘HiNAS Control’

HiNAS Control’s safety, operational efficiency, and environmental benefits proven once again

Avikus, HD Hyundai’s specialized Autonomous Navigation Technology subsidiary, has successfully secured a landmark order for its cutting-edge autonomous navigation solutions, HiNAS Control, marking a significant commercial milestone in the global maritime industry.  

On December 16th, Avikus announced that it had signed a supply contract with H-Line Shipping for its AI-driven autonomous navigation solution for commercial vessels, called ‘HiNAS Control.’ The signing ceremony was attended by Sung-joon Kim, CEO of HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering, Do-hyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus, and Myung-deuk Seo, CEO of H-Line Shipping.  

Through this contract, H-Line Shipping plans to first apply HiNAS Control to five vessels as a first batch to validate its safety and efficiency, with the intention to expand its deployment to as many as 30 vessels by next year. This expansion underscores a strong commitment to innovative maritime operations and sets a noteworthy example for other forward-looking shipping companies considering next-generation autonomous technology.

In addition to the supply of the solution, the two companies will pursue deeper collaboration encompassing technical support and data analysis to enhance system performance and continuously drive value for H-Line’s fleet operations.  

Developed by Avikus, HiNAS Control is an AI-based autonomous navigation system that integrates information from various navigation equipment and sensors to guide and control vessels along the optimal route and speed.

Avikus was the first in the industry to commercialize an autonomous navigation solution that corresponds to Level 2 of the IMO’s autonomous ship, which allows for a remotely controlled ship with seafarers on board.

H-Line Shipping, one of South Korea’s largest shipping companies, stated that the adoption of autonomous navigation solutions aims to enhance the safety of vessel operations, reduce crew workload, and effectively respond to environmental regulations through fuel savings.  

Myung-deuk Seo, CEO of H-Line Shipping, said, “Technological innovation is essential to actively address increasingly stringent environmental regulations and create a sustainable future. The adoption of HiNAS Control is expected to strengthen our global competitiveness.”  

Do-Hyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus, said, “This contract serves as another opportunity to validate the safety and efficiency of HiNAS Control. We will expand our collaborations not only with domestic shipping companies but also with global players in the maritime industry.”  

Previously, Avikus demonstrated up to a 15% fuel saving during a 9,334 km trial voyage, exemplifying the tangible economic and environmental advantages of autonomous navigation. This proven track record is anticipated to resonate with companies seeking a reliable and forward-thinking solution in a rapidly changing maritime landscape.

Avikus and DNV Partner for World’s First Autonomous Type Approval

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, September 6, 2024

Avikus, a leading innovator in autonomous navigation technology, and DNV, the world’s leading classification society, have officially announced their collaboration on the development and approval of autonomous vessel systems. The two companies commemorated their partnership with a ceremony held at the DNV stand during SMM 2024, one of the maritime industry’s most prestigious trade events.

This collaboration is a significant step forward as Avikus progresses through DNV’s System Qualification process for their autonomous navigation system, HiNAS Control, under DNV-CG-0264 and relevant international standards. The system is undergoing rigorous evaluation to ensure it meets DNV’s rules, including class guidelines and the forthcoming class notations. The goal is to achieve the world’s first Type Approval of its kind by the end of this year, setting a new global standard in the maritime industry.

“We are excited to be working towards the first Type Approval for autonomous navigation solutions under DNV’s regulations,” said Dohyeong Lim, CEO of Avikus. “As this is a world-first initiative, we are navigating unexpected challenges, but our close collaboration is establishing verification standards and methodologies. This milestone is significant for both DNV, which is at the forefront of setting international standards for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS), and Avikus, which is advancing and commercializing autonomous navigation technology. Avikus will continue to support DNV’s efforts and collaborate across various areas to further develop and approve this technology.”

“DNV is proud to present this statement in recognition of Avikus,” said Jarle Coll Blomhoff, Head of Digital Ship Systems at DNV. “It is important to further develop, test and explore digitalization and autonomy, and we are happy that Avikus has chosen DNV as the classification partner for this innovative project. We are very much looking forward to continuing the journey together, as the HiNAS Control system now moves into the testing phase.”

The HiNAS Control system is a standard specification for all HD Hyundai new builds, and so far, the order book has 171 sets. The system integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and sensor fusion to merge data from various navigation tools and augmented reality (AR) to assist navigators. This technology enables ships to autonomously avoid collisions while maintaining optimal routes and speeds, thereby reducing navigator fatigue and contributing to safer voyages, better fuel efficiency, and fewer maritime accidents and emissions.

The ceremony underscores the commitment of both Avikus and DNV to driving maritime safety and innovation through the development of autonomous technologies. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for broader adoption of autonomous systems in the maritime industry, contributing to safer and more efficient shipping operations. 

Avikus NeuBoat Dock Now Available for Purchase

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, August 16, 2024

Avikus, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation technology developer, announced today that its innovative smart navigation and docking solution – NeuBoat Dock – which takes the stress out of docking by offering increased situational awareness, is now available for purchase. 

Designed for customers with a Raymarine Axiom chartplotter of any model, NeuBoat Dock consists of a six-camera system based on Avikus’ advanced autonomous vessel technology. The system provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of a vessel through the boat’s multi-function display, which assists with tight-quarters maneuvering and docking. 

“We are very excited to finally put NeuBoat Dock into the hands of recreational boaters,” said Lim Do-hyeong, CEO of Avikus. “Our technology’s unparalleled situational awareness provides the peace of mind that greatly enhances any boater’s time and brings added safety to the water. We can’t wait to see NeuBoat Dock on boats everywhere!”

NeuBoat Dock is designed for yachts between 40- and 120-feet, sportfishing vessels, power catamarans, center consoles and sailing vessels. To order NeuBoat Dock, please visit avikus.ai/neuboat_dock. 

In addition, customers with third-party displays that meet the necessary criteria to run Avikus NeuBoat Dock software can now pre-order NeuBoat Dock II, which will begin shipping in early 2025. For more information, please visit avikus.ai/neuboat-dockll.

About AVIKUS:

AVIKUS, a technology developer specialized in autonomous navigation solutions, was established in December 2020 by HD Hyundai, the world’s No. 1 shipbuilder. The company’s accolades include the successful completion of an autonomous operation demonstration of 12-seater cruise ship over the 10km Pohang Canal for 40 minutes without human intervention, as well as the world’s first autonomous navigation cross the ocean with their HiNAS (Hyundai Intelligent Navigation Assistant System) Control AVIKUS presented its autonomous navigation technology at CES2022, and recently announced the successful completion of phase 2 of its autonomous navigation solution, HiNAS Control, in conjunction with winning the orders of 23 large ships from two of the world’s major ship builders.

Avikus Autonomous Navigation Proven to Reduce Fuel Usage and Carbon Emissions

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, March 25, 2024

AVIKUS, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation in-house startup, announced today its autonomous navigation is proven to reduce fuel use by as much as 15% and expected to reduce carbon emissions by 10%. This is the first time these fuel savings have been verified.

The fuel savings were quantified on a 325,000-ton Very Large Ore Carrier (VLOC) operating several times on a 5,800-mile route from Singapore to Brazil using Avikus’ autonomous HiNAS Control system. The verification of this performance was conducted through procedures that were jointly developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and Avikus, in partnership with Pan Ocean, Pan Ocean’s ship management subsidiary POS SM and Korean Register (KR). The methodology for this verification was certified by KR.

HiNAS Control, developed by Avikus, is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based autonomous navigation system that integrates information provided from various navigation equipment and sensors to automatically control the ship’s direction and speed without navigator intervention. This produces an optimized route that significantly reduces unnecessary fuel consumption and reduces carbon emissions. HiNAS also is capable of assisting with collision avoidance for a safer offshore experience.

“This certification is significant in that it proves that it is possible to actively respond to carbon emissions regulation through the use of autonomous navigation technology,” said Lim Do-hyeong, CEO of Avikus. “Autonomous ships represent a new turning point in the sustainable development of the shipping industry. We are looking forward to rolling out this technology on other platforms in the future.”

Avikus successfully completed the world’s first transoceanic autonomous operation of an LNG carrier in June 2022, recording a 7% improvement in fuel efficiency and a 5% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at the time. 

Avikus and Aquasport Boats Announce the Future of Recreational Sport Boating with AI-Based Autonomous Technology Collaboration

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, January 10, 2024

In a groundbreaking partnership that is set to redefine the landscape of recreational sport boating, Avikus and AquaSport Boats proudly announce in conjunction with the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a collaboration to create the world’s first autonomously equipped recreational sport boat company.

Avikus, a trailblazer in Artificial Intelligence, ADAS and Autonomous boat technology, and AquaSport Boats, renowned for their vision and commitment to being a leader in monohull design, are embarking on an exhilarating journey to revolutionize the recreational boating experience. The fusion of Avikus’ autonomous prowess and advanced AI with AquaSport’s industry vision and market expertise will pave the way for an entirely new era in aquatic adventures.

This collaboration promises to deliver a line of center- and dual-console recreational sport boats, under the Twin Vee brand, each craft meticulously designed, developed and manufactured to provide an unparalleled boating experience that incorporates advanced navigation assist and autonomous functionality. The first models will make their debut this summer, with additional models being introduced in late 2024 under the Twin Vee, Forza and AquaSport brands.

“This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to innovation, technology and the pursuit of excellence in the recreational boating industry,” said Lim Dohyeong, CEO of Avikus. “Together with AquaSport Boats, we are not just introducing a new product; we are unleashing a new era of AI-assisted navigation on the open water.”

The Avikus and AquaSport collaboration will advance the recreational sport boating market by harnessing the power of AI, sensor fusion and machine learning to provide a new level of safety, convenience, and confidence to both new and experienced boaters. Avikus’ NeuBoat technology will bring the innovations seen in the automotive sector to the recreational marine market, such as 360-degree situational awareness, 3D cluster views, advanced route planning, “smart” autopilot navigation that can identify objects and avoid potential collisions, and most importantly, autonomous self-docking capability. These enhancements will attract the next generation of boaters to the market, and aid existing boaters with navigation and docking.

Avikus’ NeuBoat autonomous level 2 navigation solution for recreational boats was also recognized this week for innovation at CES. This is the second consecutive year Avikus was recognized by the show in the category “Vehicle Tech and Advanced Mobility”.

“As pioneers in monohull design, AquaSport Boats is thrilled to partner with Avikus to bring autonomous technology to the heart of recreational boating,” said Joseph Visconti, President, AquaSport Boats. “This collaboration is not just about creating boats; it’s about creating unforgettable experiences for our customers.”

In a market that is constantly looking for ways to differentiate through innovation to capture the hearts and minds of the customer, the innovative efforts of Avikus and AquaSport Boats will serve as an example of what is possible for builders wishing to collaborate with Avikus to bring the exhilaration of AI-powered autonomous boating solutions to their owners. 

Avikus Recognized for Innovation at CES for Second Consecutive Year

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, November 21, 2023

AVIKUS, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation in-house startup, announced today its NeuBoat autonomous level 2 navigation solution for recreational boats was recognized for innovation by the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). This is the second consecutive year Avikus was recognized by CES in the category “Vehicle Tech and Advanced Mobility”. CES will be held January 9 through 12, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Avikus has also been recognized recently by the prestigious National Academy of Engineering of Korea, with its Autonomous Navigation System selected in the “Mobility” category. Only 14 cutting-edge technologies were recognized, all for leading the way in South Korean engineering and innovation.

“We are pleased to once again be recognized by CES, and we are honored that the Innovation Awards continue to see the advances we are bringing to the recreational boating market,” said Lim Dohyeong, CEO of Avikus. “That this comes at the same time as the National Academy’s selection of technology of the year is also extremely gratifying. We are very proud to receive this honor from important cornerstones of our industry. We will continue to strive to make boating a safer and more enjoyable activity through these innovations.”

Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, CES features every aspect of the tech sector. The CES Innovation Awards program is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. The program recognizes honorees in a multitude of consumer technology product categories and distinguishes the highest rated in each. A panel of industry expert judges reviewed applications in each product category based on specific criteria.

NeuBoat Navi is a core component of Avikus’s offerings in autonomous recreational boating. Using camera-based object recognition and data-acquisition from lidar sensors around the vessel, NeuBoat Navi can generate and display an optimal route for boaters to view and follow. Rendered and updated in real-time with input from internal GPS and charts, the system is able to recognize the surrounding environment, map the terrain accurately, locate and identify potential obstacles, and navigate smoothly around any impediments. 

Avikus Introduces NeuBoat Dock Showcased on Multiple Luxury Yachts at Cannes Yachting Festival

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, September 12, 2023

AVIKUS, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation in-house startup, announced today the official launch of its NeuBoat Dock at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Developed in partnership with Raymarine, NeuBoat Dock takes the stress out of docking by offering increased situational awareness with distance guides.

Adding to the excitement of the NeuBoat launch, several large, premium boatbuilder brands from several different European countries are also announcing the availability of the technology on their new models debuting at the Cannes show. More boatbuilders are slated to announce the integration of NeuBoat Dock into their products in the coming months and model years.

Avikus’s NeuBoat Dock, the first in a series of new product rollouts, consists of an innovative six-camera system, which is based on the company’s advanced autonomous vessel technology. It provides a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the vessel through a multi-function display to assist in tight-quarters maneuvering and docking. The system is also incredibly easy for boatbuilders to incorporate with simple to install sensors and intuitive calibration that can be performed dockside by the OEM with the option of remote assistance.

“We are very pleased to officially launch our NeuBoat Dock solution to the recreational boating market,” said Lim Do-hyeong, CEO of Avikus. “NeuBoat Dock offers unparalleled situational awareness when docking, and we are confident boaters will immediately appreciate the peace of mind it provides. Some of the largest and most prestigious boat builders in Europe have seen the potential and opted to install our product on their flagship models. Our docking product is also just the first step in an exciting rollout of powerful and robust products on the road to complete autonomous control.” 

Further showcasing the future, Avikus and Raymarine will offer in-water demonstrations of their co-developed fully autonomous solution during the the International Boatbuilders Exhibition (IBEX) in Tampa, Florida, October 3-5, 2023. 

Avikus Appoints Paul Petani Managing Director for North America

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, July 5, 2023

AVIKUS, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation in-house startup, announced today it has appointed industry insider Paul Petani to the position of Managing Director of North America. In his new role, Petani is responsible for establishing the brand and an official U.S. entity, growing a domestic team and overseeing day-to-day operations of Avikus’ efforts in the United States and Canada.

Petani is an accomplished senior executive leader well known for his ability to pioneer new markets and recruit and mentor successful management teams. He has a valuable network of contacts in the marine and powersports industries having worked at IoT startup FELL Technology, Brunswick’s Mercury Marine, First Alert Fire & Safety and Polaris Industries. With a deep understanding of recreational and commercial product distribution, Petani has extensive experience in OEM sales, dealer direct, aftermarket P&A sales and omnichannel development with brick and mortar and online sales channels.

“I am very excited for this opportunity with such a ground-breaking venture,” said Petani. “This truly revolutionary technology is set to change the face of recreational boating forever. I am looking forward to driving awareness and growth for Avikus in this vital market.”

Petani’s immediate charge for Avikus in the North American market includes opening a U.S. office before the end of the year, growing the Avikus U.S. sales and support teams and developing a domestic aftermarket distribution network. In addition, he will oversee the continued support of recently established partnerships and the development of new collaborations, and work to secure future OEM agreements.

Avikus’ technology is centered around the NeuBoat system, which leverages the power of the Avikus Navigation Assistant System (NAS) and Docking Assistant System (DAS). Avikus NAS allows a boat to recognize and assess on-the-water situations in real-time and without human intervention through deep learning and sensor fusion algorithms. As this data is processed, NAS creates and maintains an optimal route for safe autonomous navigation, allowing boaters to enjoy their time on the water without the stress of vessel operation. If desired, the system allows users to experience the autonomous navigation process through its Augmented Reality (AR) screen, which indicates risk level using different color informational boxes. For convenience, boaters can also control navigation from anywhere on board the boat with a mobile device.

Avikus DAS technology applies an integrated cognitive system allowing a boat to dock by itself. Docking can be one of the most difficult driving skills for new and even seasoned boaters and is recognized as high-risk for accidents. Using the Avikus 3D surround view system and collision warning alarm, included with the solution, users can effortlessly cope with all situations that may occur while docking.

New Technology Qualification of Autonomous Navigation System from Korean Register for the First Time in the World

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, June 7, 2023

The class society said the successful completion of the system integration stage, the third stage of the NTQ process, solidifies HiNAS Control’s capabilities as an innovative AI-based autonomous navigation system.

HiNAS was developed by HHI’s subsidiaries, the autonomous navigation division Avikus and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE). HiNAS uses augmented reality technology by combining data collected from vessel sensors and sailing equipment and allowing the ship to navigate optimal routes, maintain ideal speeds and avoid collisions. 

The autonomous navigation system can enhance safety during navigation, improve fuel efficiency and ease the operational workload for bridge teams. 

Earlier this year, Korean Register awarded HHI Group an approval in principal for HiNAS 2.0, confirming the system’s safety and feasibility. Now, the class society said the technical qualification was conducted in accordance with its guidelines for new technology qualification to evaluate new maritime technology.

The NTQ process comprises four stages: feasibility and concept verification, prototype validation, system integration and operational assessment. KR’s review of classification rules and international regulations confirmed HiNAS’ performance and an NTQ statement was issued following risk assessment and technical evaluation.

The certificate was awarded 7 June at the Nor-Shipping industry exhibition in Oslo and represents another step towards commercialising HiNAS.

HD KSOE executive vice president and head of digital research lab, Kwon Byounghun said, “This new technology evaluation is a great example of HD Hyundai Group’s leading autonomous navigation technology. Through this NTQ process, we were able to confirm the stability and performance of the system through sufficient technical verification in various scenarios using the virtual test drive system at our Digital Convergence Centre.”

KR chief executive and chairman Lee Hyung-chul, added “We are proud to have successfully verified the high-level performance of an AI-based autonomous navigation system through the first NTQ process under the newly established guidelines for new technology qualification. We will continue to provide more substantial and active technical support for the commercialisation of autonomous ships as a future technology.” 

Avikus Adapts Hyundai Autoever’s Automotive Self-Driving Platform to its Self-Boating Platform

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA, April 4, 2023

AVIKUS, HD Hyundai’s autonomous navigation in-house startup announced today to adapt automotive’s self-driving platform from Hyundai AutoEver, a subsidiary company of Hyundai Motor Group, to its self-boating platform. Hyundai AutoEver (CEO Seo Jeong-sik) and Avikus (CEO Lim Do-hyeong) held a signing ceremony at Pangyo Global R&D Center on April 4th, signing a collaboration contract to implement next-generation automotive’s self-driving platform to marine mobilities.

The two companies will work together to apply Hyundai AutoEver’s vehicle software platform, mobilgene, to NeuBoat – an autonomous operation solution for leisure boats developed by Avikus. Avikus’ NeuBoat provides steering and docking capabilities far beyond monitoring and alerts, corresponding to the users’ selected level of navigation assistance. The two companies plan to promote development and quality verification with the goal of mass production in 2026.

Hyundai AutoEver’s mobilgene is a software platform that was developed based on the global development standard AUTOSAR and has been applied to more than 200 types of controllers mass-produced by the automobile industry, proving its reliability many times over. Hyundai AutoEver plans to apply this technology to autonomous ship operation, as well as use it to provide key solutions for future mobility in various fields such as robotics, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and defense.

“We are excited about the synergy between Hyundai AutoEver’s solid software platform and the highest level of Avikus autonomous operation technology,” said Lim Do-hyeong, CEO of Avikus. “Together, we will create a new paradigm in boat autonomous operation.”

“Our collaboration with Avikus NeuBoat marks a significant new phase in the proliferation of our advanced automotive applications,” said Lim Yang-nam, executive director of the Hyundai AutoEver Integrated Solution Center. “We expect to expand our vehicle software platform to other industries as well such as shipping, robotics, and AAM.”

Building on HD Hyundai’s fifty years of experience in the shipping sector as the world’s leading ship manufacturer and Hyundai AutoEver’s experience in the automotive sector, this collaboration will provide leisure boaters with an advanced autonomous operation solution for future mobility. In May of last year, Avikus succeeded in crossing the ocean for the first time in the world by installing HiNAS 2.0, a second-stage autonomous operation solution.

Avikus NeuBoat’s primary target will be the North American leisure boating market, the largest leisure boating market in the world, accounting for more than 50% of the global market share. It is estimated, by Avikus’ internal study with McKinsey & Company, that more than 400,000 autonomous navigation systems will be ready to install on new or existing boats annually from 2024 to 2030. The global market for leisure boats is expected to grow rapidly, with boat construction increasing by more than 40% after the pandemic, and the market for autonomous shipping solutions will expand in kind.

“Compared to self-driving cars, autonomous boating is a brand-new market, and it is expected to quickly grow in popularity due to the nature of leisure boats, with many novice drivers and low price elasticity,” added Do-hyeong. “Applying a highly reliable hardware/software platform that has been proven in the automobile industry is expected to overwhelm market competitors, especially with the application of functional safety and cybersecurity technologies at the level of autonomous vehicles.”