Enhanced Human-Machine Interaction by Fuzzy Logic in Semi-autonomous Maritime Operations

Advanced autonomous maritime operations are today an emerging academic field, where the implementation of autonomous or semi-autonomous control, support and maintenance systems. The semi-autonomous operations often require a complex interaction between human knowledge and experience as well as suitable intelligent based programs. In this simulated approach of a ship’s berthing operation, the captains’ experience and knowledge is the basis for training the fuzzy logic system. The human-machine interaction can further be enhanced by a second fuzzy logic system to feedback the out-put fuzzy logic signal and adjust the berthing maneuver to find near-optimal solutions. The paper will present an Artificial Intelligent based semi-autonomous solution in maritime operations and discuss the related human factors as well as the sensors needed to define the decision support system for ship berthing operation and demonstrating by a proposed fuzzy logic-based solution.