Towards a systems framework for the assurance of maritime autonomous systems

ABSTRACT

The burgeoning adoption of Robotic and Autonomous Systems with Artificial Intelligence (RAS-AI) necessitates standardized approaches for Systems Engineering (SE) and assurance of RAS-AI systems. Unlike crewed systems, RAS-AI systems lack real-time human control, posing unique challenges yet to be addressed by existing regulations and SE frameworks. This paper proposes the ”Autonomous Delta” approach for the Assurance of RAS-AI systems (As4AI), focusing on Maritime Autonomous Systems (MAS). It comprises seven parts, contextualizing RAS-AI assurance in an Australian maritime context, providing key definitions, a literature review, and outlining the research methodology. The core of the paper (Part 5) presents an As4AI framework, integrating concepts from SE and high-fidelity flight simulation. A prototype instantiation at the Australian Institute of Marine Science confirmed the framework's utility and identified areas for refinement. The paper concludes with a summary and suggestions for future research enabling operational deployment of MAS specifically and autonomous systems in general.

KEYWORDS:

• Artificial Intelligence
• machine learning
• autonomous systems
• systems engineering
• modelling & simulation
• verification
• validation
• assurance

Disclosure statement

The material in this paper builds on work done as part of a feasibility study (Shoal Group et al. 2022) by Shoal Group Pty Ltd in their response to a BRII challenge (AusIndustry 2021) addressing ‘using technology for a streamlined path to maritime autonomous systems assurance’, where the author led the creation of a conceptual solution for the assurance of MAS. Shoal is the industry sponsor organisation for the lead authors’ research endeavours towards achievement of a PhD at the University of Adelaide on ‘A Framework for the Systems Engineering of AI-Intensive Systems’ enabled by an Australian Government funded research training programme scholarship.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Notes

1. Accessed 17-01-23 - https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/domestic-commercial-vessels/certificates-survey

2. Accessed 17-01-23 - https://www.amsa.gov.au/vessels-operators/domestic-commercial-vessels/certificates-operation

3. The term ‘ZFT’ means that all applicable pilot (initial and recurrency) training sequences are trained and certified on the FFS, requiring no additional training flight time (i.e. ZFT) on the real aircraft.

4. https://www.rasgateway.com.au/ - accessed 5 June 2023.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jawahar Bhalla

Jawahar Bhalla, is a passionate Systems professional and president of INCOSE's Australian chapter (SESA). He contributes to the advancement of Systems Thinking, SE and M&S locally, regionally, and globally. He has a BE (Aerospace Engineering), a BSc (Computer Science), a Master’s in SE and is a PhD candidate working on a SE Framework for the Engineering and Assurance of AI-Intensive systems. He has served on the Board of the Simulation Aus-tralasia and was recognised in 2021 as the recipient of the “Ray Page Lifetime Achievement Award” for an outstanding contribution to the advancement of Modelling and Simulation in the Australasian region.

Stephen C. Cook

Professor Stephen C. Cook, is a Systems Engineering Advisor with Shoal Group Pty Ltd. He is also the Professor of Defence Systems at the University of Adelaide where he researches and teaches system engineering and complex project management. Until June 2014 he was the Professor of Systems Engineering at the University of South Australia where he led numerous re-search concentrations for over 15 years. Preceding this he accumulated 20 years of industrial R&D and SE experience spanning aerospace and defence com-munications systems. Prof Cook, PhD, is an INCOSE Fellow, a Fellow of En-gineers Australia, and a Member of the Omega Alpha Association.

David J. Harvey

Dr. David Harvey, is an Associate Professor in Engineering Systems and Mechanical Design. He has a background in mechatronics and robotics, with deep industrial experience in systems, particularly early-stage systems engi-neering for significant socio-technical systems. His research interests include mobile robotics to further human endeavour in science and agriculture, as well as engineering practice in digital engineering and early-stage design.