The use of shipborne computer-controlled navigation systems has increased considerably during recent years. The expected advantages depend on the type of vessel; in cargo ships the safety aspect is predominant, whereas in research vessels the accuracy and reliability of position fixing are of primary importance.

Generally, computer-controlled navigation systems include a collision avoidance facility operating in conjunction with the radar. This basic equipment is usually extended by a position fixing system, calculating the latitude and longitude from the signals of position fixing transmitters and achieving optimum accuracy by sophisticated weighing techniques (Integrated Navigation). A further step in automation is the automatic guidance of the ship on preselected tracks.