Autonomous Vehicle News
Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS) has selected Iridium and Thales Group as its official communications partner, providing critical real-time communications for the fully autonomous transatlantic research vessel. The Mayflower is an autonomous ship led by marine research non-profit ProMare and IBM, which will travel the same route as the original 17th century Mayflower. Speaking about the partnership, Brett Phaneuf, Founding Board Member, ProMare, and Managing Director, Mayflower Autonomous Ship, said: “The Thales VesseLINK 700 powered by Iridium Certus onboard the Mayflower Autonomous Ship provides essential connectivity to backhaul vital science data in real-time from MAS to our team of ocean and climate experts onshore. Thankfully, we don’t have to worry as much with the superlative comms from Iridium that helps allay our concerns about the vessel as it makes the historic crossing.”Don Scott, Chief Technical Officer, Mayflower Autonomous Ship, added: “The Mayflower Autonomous Ship is ultimately a research platform, not just for the science projects onboard, but for long-range autonomous vehicles as well. The Mayflower Autonomous Ship serves as a modern inspiration, showing how new technologies can make a long-term positive impact on both the global economy and our environment.