Autonomous Ship Navigation
AI-based route planning, route tracking, and pilot-level autonomy for complex coastal and port environments.
National Korea Maritime & Ocean University
MAI Lab explores artificial intelligence for autonomous ships, vessel traffic intelligence, ocean satellite applications, environmental forecasting, and maritime safety. The lab is led by Prof. Hyun Yang in the Division of Maritime AI & Cyber Security.
About the Lab
MAI Lab develops data-driven and AI-powered technologies for future maritime operations. The lab focuses on autonomous ship navigation, route planning and tracking, AIS/VTS-based traffic intelligence, port and berthing support, and ocean-environment forecasting using satellite and in-situ observations.
We aim to connect maritime domain knowledge with machine learning, deep learning, remote sensing, and decision support technologies to solve practical problems in shipping, ports, and coastal/ocean environments.
Hyun Yang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Division of Maritime AI & Cyber Security
National Korea Maritime & Ocean University
Research Areas
AI-based route planning, route tracking, and pilot-level autonomy for complex coastal and port environments.
Large-scale vessel trajectory analysis, maritime traffic network construction, accident prediction, and port traffic intelligence.
Trajectory prediction in harbors, smart port support, anchorage management, and vessel movement modeling.
Satellite-based ocean observation, sea surface temperature analysis, and multi-source marine environmental data fusion.
Deep-learning-based sea temperature and abnormal high water temperature prediction using ERA5, satellite, and field data.
Accident prediction, risk monitoring, intelligent alarm systems, and smart mooring / coastal safety applications.
Projects
Below is a curated list based on the information provided for the current site update.
| Project Title | Funding Agency | Role | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autonomous Ship Route Planning and Tracking | NRF | PI | 2025–2028 |
| Technology Development Based on Maritime Police Satellite Utilization | MOF | PI | 2023–2025 |
| Customized AI-based Ocean Weather Forecast Service System for Marine Leisure Activities | MOF | PI | 2022–2023 |
| Smart Port–Autonomous Ship Linkage Technology Development | MOF | Co-Investigator | 2022–2023 |
| Satellite-based Abnormal Water Temperature Prediction | NRF | PI | 2021–2024 |
| Deep-Learning-based Water Temperature Prediction Using Large Satellite Datasets | KIOST | PI | 2021 |
| Satellite-based Abnormal High Water Temperature Monitoring and Prediction | NRF | PI | 2018–2020 |
| Practical Coastal Response Technology Development Based on Multi-satellite Data | MOF | Co-Investigator | 2018–2023 |
| Marine Sensorization-based Passenger Information Management System Development | KIOST | PI | 2016–2017 |
| Unmanned Marine Information Collection System Design | KIOST | PI | 2016 |
| Integrated Marine Payload Data Processing System Development | MOF | Co-Investigator | 2015–2020 |
Selected Publications
For the latest and complete list, please visit the lab's Google Scholar / public profile pages.
A grid-based anchorage decision method integrating AIS data and ship-specific characteristics for efficient anchorage management.
DOI ↗Machine learning framework combining accident reports and VTS data to support maritime safety intelligence in Busan Port.
DOI ↗Deep-learning-based SST and abnormal high water temperature prediction using ERA5 products for coastal fisheries applications.
DOI ↗Harbor trajectory prediction framework combining deep learning with maritime-specific preprocessing and berthing side information.
DOI ↗Deep learning models using AIS data for reliable vessel trajectory prediction in a complex inner harbor environment.
DOI ↗Patents & Software
Registered in Korea (2025) · 10-2845112
Registered in Korea (2021) · 10-2266744
Registered in Korea (2021) · 10-2221271
Software Registration (2022) · C-2022-004303
Software Registration (2021) · C-2021-059431
Achievements
2024 · Awarded for the paper on deep reinforcement learning-based ship route planning.
Editorial board member / editorial committee service with the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research (2022–present).
Executive board member of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering, including international academic affairs leadership (2025–present).
Commercialization activity based on deep-learning water temperature prediction using large satellite datasets (2021).
Commercialization activity based on deep-learning training data generation for water temperature prediction (2023).
Journal reviewing, guest editorship, patents, and project leadership across maritime AI, remote sensing, and intelligent safety systems.
People
A fuller member-page refresh can be incorporated in the next update. This version provides a clean temporary structure while the roster is being reorganized.
Principal Investigator / Lab Director
Associate Professor, Division of Maritime AI & Cyber Security, National Korea Maritime & Ocean University.
Update in Progress
The detailed roster for students, alumni, and collaborators can be updated in the next iteration while preserving the new website design.
Contact
If you are interested in research collaboration, student opportunities, or technology transfer, please feel free to contact the lab.