Rolls Royce isn't just limited to plans for autonomous luxury cars. The British transport company is also planning to develop remote-controlled cargo ships and expects to build the first one in 2020.
The idea is not impossible. Ground crews could monitor every aspect of an autonomous ship, using virtual reality headsets, cameras, sensors, and even drones to spot issues that no human would ever see.
As a result, Rolls Royce is designing ships that will not have a crew on board. In theory, one person could steer many vessels, and the profession of seafaring could disappear overnight.
The company claims that autonomous ships will not need a bridge or living quarters, so there will be much more space for cargo. They will be safer and more efficient since there will be no human error. Robotic ships will reduce the number of sailors and require remote specialized crew to handle more complex tasks, without risk.
The company's goal is to launch the first remotely piloted cargo ships in 2020.
