Artificial-intelligence-run Mayflower suffers mechanical problem, returns to England
The robotic, artificial-intelligence operated Mayflower that seeks to retrace the course of the famed 1620 journey to America is facing some troubles that have much less to do with scurvy and more to do with technological glitches.
The ship is being worked on by a nonprofit marine organization ProMare alongside IBM who had a hand in building the vessel. ProMare decided to return the ship to its port “to investigate and fix a minor mechanical issue,” with the hopes of sending the ship on its way across the Atlantic as soon as possible.
The 50-foot long Mayflower Autonomous Ship began its journey to America on Tuesday when it departed from Plymouth, England, before making a stop off the Isles of Scilly prior to its adventurous transatlantic journey.
The ship was supposed to arrive in Provincetown off of Cape Cod three weeks later before then arriving at its final destination of Plymouth, Mass. Should the ship get the necessary repairs and complete the journey, it would be the largest non-human run ship to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Ironically, the delays holding back the modern-day Mayflower also took place with the original Mayflower from centuries ago. While pilgrims in the 17th century didn’t need to worry about autonomous features working, they did have to turn back to England after a leaking problem affected its sister ship, the Speedwell, according to the Associated Press.
