Boating giant Brunswick, the owner of world-famous brands such as Mercury Marine and Boston Whaler, unveiled its “Boating Intelligence” these days at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the world’s most important trade show in innovation and technology. An initiative that aims to transform the boating experience through the integration of advanced technologies, making boating safer, more accessible and connected by introducing artificial intelligence systems on board.
Cutting-edge technology for smarter boating
The key innovation presented by Brunswick focuses onusing artificial intelligence, advanced sensors, and connectivity to improve every aspect of life on board. The goal is to offer integrated solutions that simplify vessel management, from route planning to predictive maintenance. “CES is the world’s largest event dedicated to consumer technology, providing an ideal platform to showcase how Brunswick is redefining the boating experience and transforming boats from experiential products to smart, reliable partners for owners and Freedom Boat Club members,” said Dave Foulkes, CEO of Brunswick Corporation.
Virtual rudder and AI co-captain
Highlights include a virtual helm simulator with a 200-degree viewing angle. This state-of-the-art simulator allows visitors to experience the latestBrunswick virtual navigation assistant. This artificial-intelligence-powered co-captain is packed with amazing features, including:
- assisted navigation: offers proactive support to plan and follow optimal routes;
- Security monitoring: detects and reports potential risks in real time;
- Autonomous maneuvering: allows the vessel to perform complex operations, such as mooring, without direct human intervention.
The autonomous mooring
In the simulator, as well as aboard a Boston Whaler 405 Conquest 40-footer positioned inside the Brunswick booth, it is also possible to try out the latest iteration of the revolutionary autonomous mooring system. Key features of this revolutionary system include real-time object detection and classification and an intuitive user interface that visitors can interact with through a state-of-the-art Simrad multi-function display.
Fliteboard eFoil simulator: the future of water sports
Also, just in Las Vegas, Brunswick introduced the first immersive Fliteboard eFoil simulator, which allows participants to experience the thrill of riding an electric hydrofoil. Using a handheld controller and realistic virtual environments, visitors can simulate movements and maneuvers as if they were really on the water.
James Barbaro