Safe, Flexible Remote Control for Autonomous Watercraft

How One Naval Tech Firm Uses FORT for Uncrewed Operations.

As the maritime industry embraces autonomy, safety and control remain top priorities—especially when operating in high-traffic areas like commercial harbors. For one leading naval technology firm, developing autonomous vessels capable of operating in dynamic environments meant finding a control solution that was flexible, reliable, and could stand up to harsh conditions.

Challenge: Autonomous Maritime Operation Meets Real-World Complexity

While the company’s boats are primarily autonomous, manual remote control is required for certain operations–particularly docking, close-quarter maneuvering, or specific mission tasks. A key requirement was the ability to take control of different boats (one at a time) using a single device and then return them to autonomous mode.

Operating in a busy harbor posed additional challenges:

• Wireless signals needed to reach vessels over long distances and through signal-dense environments.
• The equipment had to be highly durable, resistant to weather and impact, and extreme weather.
• Safety was paramount, requiring a reliable emergency stop that operators could activate instantly from shore or from a lead vessel.
  
  

Solution: Rugged, Flexible, and Trusted Wireless Control System

The company implemented FORT’s Pro Series devices to meet these needs. Each vessel was outfitted with an Endpoint Controller to receive wireless commands. Operators on a lead vessel or the shore could then use a Safe Remote Control Pro to take on-demand control of a single boat whenever needed. The game-style remote control has an intuitive design and easy-to-use joysticks for precise operation, and is built for durability in tough environments. 

The Pro Series system supports:

• Machine select, allowing one controller to switch between boats quickly and securely.
• Autonomous/manual transitions, enabling operators to easily switch vessels between self-driving mode and remote operation.
• Long-range wireless communication via FORT’s robust ISM radio.
• SIL 3 certified wireless e-stop, giving operators confidence to halt operations instantly if needed

Configurations can be built with the FORT Manager web or desktop application, which makes it easy to set up one-to-one or one-to-many pairing scenarios to meet the requirements of different applications.

Implementing a Dynamic Control Solution for Autonomous Boats

Configuration Details:

All autonomous watercraft have installed a FORT Endpoint Controller (EPC) to receive safety signal and joystick commands 

• • • • Comms are over 900MHz or 868MHz ISM radio
      • Ability to select single machine under control at any given time 
      • 600-800 Km line-of-sight distance

The FORT solution provides the reliable and flexible control needed for this type of dynamic application. The ability to support multiple vessels with a single remote streamlines both workflows and equipment requirements. With dependable wireless comms and certified safety features, operators can maintain responsive control and peace of mind at all times. 

At FORT, we deliver safe, secure, dynamic control for any machine system. Contact us to find the right trusted control solution for your application.