The B0 | B ZERO consortium set out to create a fully autonomous navigation system for commercial vessels that can steer a ship between predefined departure and arrival points without continuous human supervision. The core of the system, called AutoOOW, is responsible for the automatic officer‑of‑watch function and includes a collision‑avoidance algorithm, an autonomous watch‑keeping module, and a human‑machine interface that allows a watch‑free officer to intervene quickly in critical situations. The Fraunhofer Center for Maritime Logistics and Services (CML) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Key Technologies in the Environment (FKIE) jointly developed the B0‑ASSIST subproject, which is tasked with delivering the AutoOOW functionality and the associated processes.

From a technical standpoint, the collision‑avoidance algorithm was evaluated in simulation under conditions where the vessel must maintain a minimum separation of six nautical miles from other traffic. In 95 % of the simulated scenarios the algorithm produced a COLREG Part B compliant route that also takes current weather characteristics and shoreline risks into account. The autonomous watch system was designed to support up to eight hours of bridge watch without a human officer present, thereby enabling a watch‑free bridge in open waters. The human‑machine interface was engineered to provide a concise, actionable information set that allows a watch‑free officer to make a rapid, informed decision when the system requests assistance. Together, these components form a robust framework for autonomous navigation that can operate independently for limited periods while still allowing human oversight in exceptional circumstances.

The project also focused on defining the operational design domain (ODD) for the AutoOOW system. Because in‑person workshops were not possible due to contact restrictions, an online questionnaire and subsequent virtual workshop were used to gather initial input. The ODD was then refined through a series of structured interviews with senior officers from the shipping company Bernhard Schulte, which supplied the test vessel and provided experienced personnel for data collection. Four individual interviews were conducted with officers who had at least twelve years of service, including first officers, a marine superintendent, and a former captain. The interviews employed Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN) diagrams created with iGrafx to capture both standard watch handovers and handovers in critical situations such as collision avoidance, overtaking, and entering traffic separation zones. The resulting process models were consolidated into a comprehensive representation of the handover procedures, which will inform the design of the human‑machine interface and the overall system architecture.

Collaboration within the consortium was structured around clear roles. Fraunhofer CML led the development of the maritime logistics and supply‑chain aspects, while FKIE focused on risk minimisation and human‑machine system design. The shipping partner Bernhard Schulte supplied operational expertise, a test vessel, and personnel for interviews, thereby ensuring that the system’s design aligns with real‑world maritime practices. The project was carried out under the umbrella of the German Maritime Research Strategies 2025 programme, which provides funding and strategic direction for maritime innovation. Over the course of the project, the consortium produced a set of validated process models, a collision‑avoidance algorithm meeting stringent COLREG compliance, and a prototype autonomous watch system capable of eight‑hour watch‑free operation. These achievements lay the groundwork for future trials and eventual deployment of fully autonomous merchant vessels.