Hyundai plans next step beyond automated boats
Hyundai moves from self-driving boats to focusing on life on the waterHyundai – a company known more for its cars than boats – has revealed it will unveil the next step in its recreational boating, hinting at new technology that will change the way we live on the water.
The Korean company, which is also one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, has booked a slot at January’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to spell out what it has next in line.
The move comes a month after the US debut of Avikus, Hyundai’s project to develop self-driving pleasure boats that can moor themselves at the marina, and pilot their way autonomously to remote anchorages.
The recreational version of Avikus, called AiBoat, was revealed at this year’s CES.
"For sustainable future growth, it is necessary to realise the infinite potential of the ocean, a valuable resource of mankind," Hyundai Heavy Industries said in a statement announcing its attendance at next year’s CES.
"By participating in CES 2023, we will open a new era based on the company's 50 years of industry expertise and our advanced innovation."
Boat-makers are becoming increasingly more interested in CES as a platform for announcing new technologies rolling out to their products.
Brunswick Group, the owner of a number of boat brands including Sea Ray and Boston Whaler, has used the closed trade show to reveal it is working on a new generation of products that will use lithium-ion batteries to replace onboard gensets, revealing the Sea Ray SLX-R 400e concept boat at the 2020 event.
We’ve also been told that next year’s event will usher in Brunswick’s first-ever boat to feature a 48-volt electrical system optimised for powering high-energy systems such as bow thrusters and air conditioners without the need for an on-board genset.
Hyundai will also use CES to give an update on its work to develop fuel cell modules that use ammonia, NH, as a fuel source.
While the fuel cell focus is on commercial shipping, there’s no reason why the technology should not be able to scale down to recreational boating.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
