In the AI Class there is no one at the helm. Teams design autonomous surface vessels that sense their surroundings, plan a route and steer themselves around the course. Many are converted solar or energy prototypes, now fitted with sensor arrays and onboard intelligence — a live laboratory for the autonomous boats of tomorrow.
AI Class boats run the full course autonomously, guided by sensors and neural networks.
The AI Class is judged across four autonomous events. With no pilot on board, each boat must perceive the course and react in real time — from a precise docking manoeuvre to a high-speed slalom through the buoys.
Each boat approaches and docks autonomously, with no human input — a test of precise perception and control.
Several autonomous boats share the water, navigating and avoiding one another in a live fleet scenario.
A continuous figure-of-eight course testing path-planning, turning and obstacle handling over time.
A fast slalom through the buoys — the sharpest test of real-time object detection and reactive steering.
Ten university teams from eight nations bring their self-navigating boats to Port Hercule.
Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
A fast-growing class at the cutting edge of marine autonomy. Browse the gallery, then see what powers every AI boat.
From LiDAR mapping to neural-network steering, the AI Class showcases the technologies driving the autonomous boats of tomorrow.
University teams: build, train and bring your autonomous boat to Monaco, 29 June – 3July 2027.
