Autonomous navigation means that the ship performs its transport tasks without human intervention. Strictly speaking, “autonomous” means ‘independent’—but the ship does not operate completely independently of humans. After all, humans determine when and where the ship is to sail. For this reason, the term “fully automated navigation” is used in scientific contexts.

The vessel is equipped with a control system that continuously

analyzes the current environment and traffic conditions,
updates the route plan, calculates the current course and speed, and
controls the propulsion and steering systems.
To this end, the vessel is equipped with a range of sensors (radar, lidar, cameras, GNSS, echo sounder, etc.).
Which algorithms are ideally suited for use in the control system is still the subject of research.

Automated inland waterway vessels can offer several advantages over conventional vessels:

Energy efficiency: Automated inland waterway vessels follow optimized routes with minimal use of the rudder. By adjusting their speed to local water depths and current conditions, they can meet scheduled arrival times while minimizing energy consumption.
Cost efficiency: Automated inland waterway vessels can operate without interruption.
Reduced risk of accidents: Accidents caused by human error no longer occur. Technical failures are to be avoided as much as possible through redundant system design.

Even though the prospects are very promising, there are some challenges:

Technical failures must be avoided as much as possible through redundancy. In any case, the automation system must be able to detect failures and switch to a safe state in the event of an unrecoverable failure.
Conceptual weaknesses: If the automation system is not reliable under certain conditions, its use must be restricted operationally (e.g., no use in snowstorms).
Safety: The safety of passengers, crew members, and other vessels is the top priority. The development of autonomous inland waterway vessels must address safety concerns related to cybersecurity, system failures, and potentially hazardous situations.
Regulations and standards: The development and establishment of common international standards and regulatory frameworks will be essential for the widespread adoption of autonomous inland waterway vessels.
Human Factors: Semi-autonomous inland waterway shipping may alter the roles and responsibilities of crew members, who will need to adapt to new responsibilities and job descriptions. Training and familiarizing crew members with the new technology is crucial for successful implementation.

Although exact costs for the autonomous navigation equipment cannot yet be specified, initial projects indicate that significant cost savings can be expected compared to a conventional ship.

By extending voyage durations, both transport capacity and revenue can be increased.