The Norwegian automated ferry that can be operated as easily as a lift

Artificial intelligence, sensors and electric engines – researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology NTNU have fit it all on a prototype autonomous ferry and launched it in the Trondheim fjord.

It is the world’s first prototype of an autonomous ferry capable of carrying passengers. 

“We have a long coastline and extensive waterways. It can become easier to reach more areas with autonomous ferries that can carry people. It might be too expensive to build bridges to certain areas. A ferry can also be moved, while bridges can’t. This is an extra tool in the planners’ toolbox,” says associate professor Morten Breivik.

“Passengers will be able to press a button to choose where they want to go, nearly like in a lift. Elevators also used to have operators in the past,” says Breivik. 

The researchers envision autonomous ferries with restaurants or other cultural activities onboard, and some that would offer sightseeing for tourists.

Making use of skills

“Your imagination is the only limit for how an autonomous ferry can be used,” says Egil Eide. He is the project leader for Millampere 2, the prototype ferry in Trondheim. He had the original idea for an autonomous ferry.

“People with maritime skills can use their knowledge in many places. They don’t need to be out on a boat for days on end, in a day and night shift pattern. They don’t need to be away from their families but can work in control rooms from where autonomous ferries will be run. There is a prematurely ageing workforce among seafarers in Norway, but they will experience fewer health issues in an onshore control room,” he says.

A control room is operated by a person with maritime skills. They can monitor several ferries, using cameras that transmit real-time images, GPS technology and telephony contact. Multiple screens allow an operator to carry out several jobs with different ferries from the same control room. 

“The job in a ferry control room can be compared to that of air traffic controllers. Autonomous ferries can therefore make it possible to live or work in more places near water,” says Breivik.

Testing with tourists 

Milliampere 2 is now travelling back and forth across the Trondheim canal between the city centre and the train station area.

Egil Eide has had a “summer job” onboard the ferry, which has carried 2,000 passengers over the summer months. The aim is to carry out further tests on the ferry’s autonomous systems. The prototype is soon ready to be tested without an onboard operator.

“We have set up a control room on one side of the canal where the operator can use instruments and screens to monitor the ferry while it is operating. You can also see the ferry through the control room window, but the big step forward now is to finish the automation of the ferry,” he explains. 

Tourists Georg Gradl and Ulrike Schwarz-Boeger have been catching the ferry.

“A ferry without a captain really seems to be a good idea. It is incredible that you can just push a button. We are after all used to doing that in lifts,” Ulrike points out too. 

Georg Gradl and Ulrike Schwarz-Boeger (from the left) are among the tourists who have tried the ferry. 

“Imagine pushing a button to choose which island or harbour you want to travel to,” she says, happy with her test trip.

“Today’s trip was absolutely fine and I felt safe onboard. The ferry didn’t travel too slowly either,” says Georg. 

Already in use

An autonomous city ferry is in daily operation in Stockholm, as the world’s first commercial autonomous ferry. MF Estelles runs several times an hour between Kungsholmen and Södermalm in the city centre. 

MF Estelle leaves dock in Stockholm. Photo: Morten Breivik/NTNU.

“It is good to see that what started out as a somewhat crazy idea seven years ago has become a reality, and is now in a commercial phase,” says Eide.

The Norwegian shipping company Torghatten runs MF Estelle in Stockholm and is behind the initiative which has been branded Zeam. It is an acronym for Zero Emission Autonomous Mobility and a reference to a service that “seamlessly” connects the city.

The technology that makes the ferry autonomous is developed by Zeabuz, a Trondheim company. Zeabuz is a spinoff company from NTNU.

Control room as a separate project

The experts explain how personnel with operational and safety responsibilities monitor the running of boats. Ole Andreas Alsos is head of research for the control room. 

Ole Andreas Alsos is working on control room development. 

“In major cities like Amsterdam, such micro-mobility can occur within a network that meets the need for efficient flow in people transport. We are researching how the operator can take control and steer an autonomous ferry when necessary,” he says.

Alsos and his group are studying how the operator in a safety centre can carry out the tasks. Central personnel should be able to take over and handle all kinds of unwanted situations that might occur onboard or near an autonomous ferry.

“So far, several sea captains have been allowed to try controlling the ferry. Such an operator can take action if a passenger asks, or if a sensor onboard the ferry tells the operator to take over control.”