Waypoint Navigation Exists, but Fully Autonomous Boating Remains Distant

Boats can already accept coordinates, navigate to a waypoint and provide a form of auto-drive. Waypoint navigation is an intermediate capability, not the same as operating a vessel autonomously for an entire trip.

A fully autonomous system would need to leave the dock, conduct the trip and return on its own with confidence. Marine companies are still working to make that reliable; the timing and technical requirements for confident full autonomy remain unspecified.