Autopilot
From BAWiki
Definition
An autopilot (AP, also "Control Machine") is an automatic control system, eg. on ships. Autopilots on board of vessels take control for a fixed course, according to a predetermined route (waypoint list) or when sailing ships to the wind (wind vane control). On larger vessels, they are integrated into a comprehensive electronic navigation system (ECDIS). (Wikipedia). Today autopilots generally contain no automatic route tracking.
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Source
translated from Glossar für das Forschungsprogramm KLIWAS, Mehling, Andrea et al., Bundesanstalt für Gewässerkunde, Koblenz 2011; Wikipedia