Risk aspects for autonomous ships and sensor carrying platforms
Risk management is crucial for successful marine operations. Increasing the level of autonomy calls for a more systematic approach where more of the risk handling is transferred from the operator to the sensor carrying platform or autonomous ship itself. We may categorise risk for autonomous systems according to mission complexity, environmental complexity, and human independency (level of autonomy). Risk handling is closely coupled to situational awareness and monitoring of own integrity and capabilities.
In order to operate efficiently the science and technology need to be bridged, and for autonomous systems, interdisciplinary is crucial in planning and execution of operations and for the development of adaptive mapping strategies. Here, the on-line re-planning of the mission will be optimised subject to rewards concerning improved data harvesting, and associated risk considerations for e.g. collisions with sea bottom, ice and moving objects, and possibly loss of vehicle. The presentation will give an overview of methods for considering risk in the design of autonomous control systems as well as testing and verification.