Japan to launch self-navigating cargo ships 'by 2025' - BBC News

Japanese shipping companies are working with shipbuilders to develop self-piloting cargo ships. The "smart ships" will use artificial intelligence to plot the safest, shortest, most fuel-efficient routes, and could be in service by 2025. The AI will also be used to predict malfunctions and other problems, which could help reduce the number of maritime incidents. The companies plan to build about 250 self-navigating ships. Developing the technology is expected to cost tens of billions of yen (hundreds of millions of dollars).