I brought this issue up in a earlier post some time ago. (Thread was something like: Galciv 2 features that should die)

I suggested these alternatives:

Scout Ships when set to scout would give the option of

1) Going to random locations in unexplored space, or just random locations is space was explored.

2) Going to random locations.

Also I suggested that Survey Ships would default to these if there were no anomalies in reach rather then just sitting there.

Anyway, someone from Star Dock said that it had been addressed but they didn't give any details.

I agree fully.  Patrol routes that can be set on auto so the player can know that area is being 'watched' while focusing on other things.

I realize this a long dead thread, but I was hoping if there were any plans on implementing the idea of an automated patrol route I brought up here long ago. It's something I would very much like to see in the game. I haven't been around for awhile and I was wondering if there was any thoughts towards including this feature since I last posted the request.