Auto Spring

The world’s first inland demonstration vessel for end-to-end autonomous navigation,
providing a replicable model for green and autonomous inland shipping.

Integrating BOTIX Core Technologies
for Maritime Autonomy

Perception

Multimodal Sensor Fusion System

Feature-level fusion of heterogeneous multi-sensor data in bird’s-eye-view (BEV) space enables all-weather, 360° perception of the 3D environment and accurate target recognition.

Control

Vessel Drive-by-Wire Control System

A ring-network control architecture improves system fault tolerance while maintaining openness and ease of integration, addressing interface adaptation challenges across different vessel types.

Decision

Intelligent Decision-Making Engine

Intelligent decision-making and multi-objective path-planning algorithms enable precise vessel control in complex waterways.

65
m

Length Overall
Fully
Electric

Propulsion
64
TEU

Maximum Capacity

Milestones

From Blueprint to the Water,
Advancing the Future of Shipping Step by Step

April 2025

Auto Spring was successfully launched in Huzhou.

June 2025

The autonomous navigation system received Approval in Principle (AiP) from China Classification Society (CCS).

December 2025

Huzhou’s first demonstration route for region-wide vessel electrification, with Auto Spring among the participating vessels, officially commenced operations.

December 2025

System commissioning achieved a key milestone, enabling autonomous navigation along a predefined section of open inland waterways.

January 2026

Auto Spring was featured on CCTV as one of Huzhou’s signature innovations showcasing its action-driven start to the year.

April 2026

Li Tianwei, Director-General of the Department of Atmospheric Environment of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, led a delegation to visit the project for research and guidance.

Building a Green and Intelligent Demonstration Project

Starting with Auto Spring
we are creating a scalable and replicable model for green and intelligent shipping.

Validating the Green Transition Pathway

Lays a practical industrial foundation for the large-scale electrification of inland vessels, providing a replicable technical solution and commercially viable pathway.
Building the Foundation for Industry Standards

The full-cycle testing and optimization of Auto Spring provide critical data and practical references for the development of industry standards.
Transforming Waterborne Transport Operations

Advances from smart individual vessels to intelligent fleet operations, driving the transition from fragmented, small-scale operations toward consolidated and platform-based shipping management.
Building a New Shipping Ecosystem

Promotes integration and collaboration among smart vessels, ports, energy providers, manufacturers, and shipping operators, setting a benchmark for a systematic green shipping ecosystem.
Leading the Transformation of Inland Shipping

The project has the potential to pioneer a green and intelligent inland shipping system and create a deployable, replicable model with international relevance