Yamaha launches real-world ‘Harmo’ electric outboard motor trials

Called Harmo, Yamaha says the technology revolves around a "next-generation control system platform" that gives passengers a more comfy experience due to low noise levels and simpler controls.

The Harmo motor drive will be trialled on one of Japan’s most popular tourist canals before Yamaha readies the technology for the highly environmentally conscious European market.

The new engine adopts a “rim drive” propulsion system that mounts the drive motor on the rim of the propeller. This type of layout is more suited to high torque, low-speed operation, offering what Yamaha claims is “significantly lower vibration and noise, allowing more comfortable riding”.

Another benefit from the electric drive system is its enhanced steering angle, allowing a boat to turn in its own length, providing “a greater sense of enjoyment and unity with the boat”.

The Harmo system does use a traditional steering wheel – described by Yamaha as a “steering handle” – but users can also control the boat using a joystick. With two outboard motors fitted, the boat is able to crab sideways just like an outboard engine-powered boat using Yamaha’s Helm Master system.

Yamaha has already hinted that the joystick-controlled electric motor-driven system could even one day be adapted for more traditionally-fueled outboard engines.

According to the design, a traditional outboard engine could have a rim drive electric motor mounted inside the drive leg that can operate independently to the traditionally steered unit on which it is mounted.

Yamaha Motor is on something of an electric drive as it prepares for a larger share of the battery-driven future.

Its electron-based products now include electric golf carts, small and low-speed public personal mobility devices, electric motorcycles, power-assisted bicycles, electric wheelchairs, and drones.