By: Miguel Hidalgo, Edmanuel Cruz, Franchesca Gonzalez-Olivardia, Cesar Pinzon
The Automatic Identification System (AIS) is a critical tool for maritime safety, enabling ships to share essential information such as identification, position, course, and speed. While conventional AIS systems are effective, their high costs limit adoption among small-scale fishermen and operators of small vessels. This paper reviews recent developments in low-cost AIS solutions using technologies such as SoftwareDefined Radio (SDR) and microcomputers. The review highlights various studies that demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of these low-cost systems in maritime safety and environmental monitoring. Notably, these systems can estimate ship emissions, contributing to the reduction of marine pollution and improving sustainability in maritime transport. By examining the technological implementations, system designs, and methodologies, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the potential of low-cost AIS solutions in enhancing maritime safety and emission monitoring.