AIMS worked with Townsville Helicopters to modify and successfully test a system to deliver and retrieve heavy cargo without human intervention from remote marine locations via helicopter.

Australia’s fledgling autonomous marine technology industry put its newest products to the test at ReefWorks, AIMS’ tropical marine technology test range, during an Open Range event.

For the first time in Australia, autonomous marine technology developers have a location to safely test autonomous vessels without needing to apply for a permit.

Like self-driving cars, self-driving or autonomous boats are rapidly developing to perform a wide range of tasks from marine monitoring and mapping to surf rescue, border patrol and ocean surveillance.