No captain. No crew. No human contact.
Within the next few weeks, the world's most technologically advanced ship will slip its moorings in Plymouth and begin a pioneering 3,000-mile journey across the Atlantic.
And it will do so without any human intervention.
The Mayflower 400 is named after the original triple-masted vessel that took the Pilgrims to the New World four centuries ago.
But although it will follow the same route to New England, the 21st century ship is nothing like its slow, heavy, wooden forbearer.
Article first published by Sky News in April 2021. Read the full article on Sky News
Credits
Reporting and interviews: Thomas Moore, science correspondent and Jess Breadman, producer
Graphics: Pippa Oakley, designer
Pictures courtesy of IBM/PROMARE