Hire Companies to Introduce Driverless Boats

Handling a canal boat can be daunting for beginners, especially when you are only hiring one for a day, or even a week. There is so much to learn and so much to remember when you just want to relax and enjoy your holiday.

An answer may be at hand, thanks to an innovative partnership between hire boat companies and an internet technology company.

For several years now driverless cars have been tested in various countries. Transferring the technology to narrowboats is comparatively straightforward, helped by the slower speeds on canals. The system will use Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms similar to those used with cars.

Satellite mapping and the use of GPS means that the skipper just has to set the desired route on the control panel and press Start. The family can then relax in the cabin, reading books or newspapers, watching DVDs, cooking dinner or having a cosy nap while the automatic control system takes care of the steering.

Initially autonomous day boats are being introduced on lock-free sections of waterway, but the system will later be spread to boats hired for longer periods. At first crews will need to operate locks for themselves but testing is taking  place on electrically powered locks in Yorkshire so that a transponder aboard the boat can control the lock consoles remotely.

The idea has gained the support of many boaters, who sometimes complain about hire boats being driven erratically. Boater Anne Kerraway, who moors on a popular holiday route, says her boat has often been hit by new hirers still finding their feet: "My boat has often been hit by new hirers finding their feet," she commented.

Driverless boats will hit the waterways on Easter Sunday when a pair of specially converted day boats called Eric and Ernie will be making a big splash in the Greater Manchester area.

Autonomous day boat Eric during a test run.

The Driverless Autonomous Floating Transport project (D.A.F.T.) is a partnership between the Canal and River Trust, several hire boat companies based in Northern England and technology enterprise innovator Narrowboat Unmanned Technology Service, whose spokesman Lee Keybank said that he hopes the self-driving hire boats will be a welcome sight on the area's canals on Easter Sunday morning.