Avikus announces first partner to use its self-driving boat technology

AquaSports Boats, which specialises in modestly sized high-end saltwater fishing boats, will work with Avikus to create “the world's first autonomously equipped recreational sport boat company”.

The new boats will be built under the TwinVee outboard engine-powered centre and dual console catamaran, Forza electric-powered centre and dual console and AquaSport outboard engine-powered centre console monohull brands, with the first Avikus-equipped models due off the production line mid-year.

“This collaboration promises to deliver a line of centre and dual console recreational sport boats under the Twin Vee brand, each craft meticulously designed, developed, and manufactured to provide an unparalleled boating experience that incorporates advanced navigation assist and autonomous functionality,” the companies said in a statement announcing the major step forward for the boating industry worldwide.

“The Avikus and AquaSport collaboration will advance the recreational sport boating market by harnessing the power of AI, sensor fusion, and machine learning to provide a new level of safety, convenience, and confidence to both new and experienced boaters. 

“Avikus's NeuBoat technology will bring the innovations we have seen in the automotive sector to the recreational marine market, such as 360-degree situational awareness, 3D cluster views, advanced route planning, ‘smart’ autopilot navigation that can identify objects and avoid potential collisions, and most importantly, autonomous self-docking capability. 

“These enhancements will attract the next generation of boaters to the market, and aid existing boaters with navigation and docking,” it said.

Avikus’ NeuBoat is a system built on artificial intelligence that can help skippers with navigating the waterways, and entering or leaving the dock.

The Avikus system is being developed on top of off-the-shelf equipment from global marine electronics group Raymarine, and uses cameras placed around the boat to monitor what is happening.

The system has already been tested on a fully electric boat.

An early version of Avikus was revealed at CES2023 and was presented with an innovation award for the technology it had developed.

The group behind the technology recently told boatsales that it was in talks with manufacturers ahead of rolling out a commercial version of the Avikus system in 2024, including unnamed Australian boat-makers.

Volvo Penta is also working on autonomous boat technology that integrates with the engines it makes, as is Brunswick Corporation, the owner of global brands including Boston Whaler, Sea Ray and Mercury.