Captainless Container Ship Navigates Tokyo Bay in World First

White shipping containers at the stern of the Suzaku contain servers and other equipment. (Courtesy the Nippon Foundation)

A switch below the wheel on the Suzaku’s bridge switches the vessel to remote control.

The ground support station is located in Chiba Prefecture’s Makuhari Techno Garden.

In addition to monitoring the status of engines and electrical systems, the autonomous navigation system also warns operators of anomalies.

The futuristic design of the remote ground station was chosen to inspire the younger generation.

Kuwahara adjusts the speed of the vessel.

At night, the image feed comes from infrared cameras.

The shipping containers at the stern of the Suzaku contain the autonomous navigation system. Inside are a monitor area and a server area.

The Suzaku back in Tokyo Bay after a successful autonomous voyage.