Gear: Raymarine unveils DockSense, a robotic boat docking assistant
Raymarine wants big boats to largely look after themselves when performing the delicate dockside moves that often create the most stress for ownersMarine electronics group Raymarine has unveiled an automated parking feature for boats that takes all the drama – and much of the expense when things go awry – out of docking.
The Raymarine DockSense assisted docking system uses a network of cameras, global positioning and computing grunt to see what is around the boat and create a "virtual bumper". If the system detects a pile or another vessel is getitng too close, it can automatically manouvre the boat to avoid it.
“Docking a boat can be a stressful experience, even for the most experienced captains,” raymarine said in a press release coinciding with the system’s reveal at Boot Dusseldorf.
“Often wind and tides make the task more difficult, and docking mishaps can become expensive repairs and safety hazards.
“The DockSense system is designed to augment a captain's boat handling skills using the system’s Virtual Bumper zone technology around the vessel.
“Should an object like a piling or another vessel encounter the Virtual Bumper, DockSense automatically introduces corrective steering and throttle commands to avoid the object and assist the captain in guiding the vessel to the dock.”
Made to work anywhere
The system is very different to the one developed by marine engine maker Volvo Penta and revealed last year, which uses a number of pre-set land-based reference points to feel its way into a berth. Raymarine’s system is unique in that it will work for any berth, using its on-board smarts to adapt to the environment.
Raymarine said the DockSense system also used the marine electronic maker’s attitude heading reference system (AHRS) position sensing technology to compensate for the effects of wind and currents, “ensuring the vessel enters the dock without drama or costly collisions”.
DockSense installs as an app on the Raymarine Axiom navigation system. It also integrates with joystick propulsion systems to make captains look as slick as possible as they glide into a berth.
Raymarine said the system would feature first on future Prestige Yachts products. Prestige owner Groupe Beneteau said the Docksense system would help it achieve its goal of becoming “the global benchmark for all boating experiences”.
Raymarine said more DockSense "partners" would be announced soon.
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