The future of boating and marine automation: intuitive, connected, sustainable
In the “Pursuit of Beyond,” Volvo Penta imagines a world where the latest technology trends have evolved boating, creating a brave new world for exploring and experiencing life on the water. At CES 2023, the company looked beyond the horizon to show how boating innovations in artificial intelligence, connectivity, marine automation and sustainability could truly make boating for everyone.
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Volvo Penta presented a vision for the future of boating that imagines how new technological breakthroughs could fundamentally change the way humans interact with their vessels and surrounding ecosystems. The company aims to provide a new path for the boating industry that pushes boundaries in ways that delight and fulfill boaters. Artificial intelligence, marine automation, autonomy, electrification, digitalization, connectivity — these breakthroughs offer the potential to shape immersive, personalized boating experiences.
Volvo Penta is exploring the technology and trends that are reshaping society, and imagining how they could implore new boaters to chase adventure and enjoy premium experiences at sea. Research shows that there is a massively untapped audience for boating. According to the NMMA, there are 91 million people in the United States not yet boating, despite their high potential to become involved. These people are increasingly younger, more diverse, increasingly connected to technology, and they share their experiences on social media more often. Boating innovation could attract these new boaters and offer them rich experiences, and it could deepen the passion of seasoned pros.
Artificial intelligence and marine automation
Volvo Penta sees tremendous potential in artificial intelligence and marine automation to reshape boating experiences for beginners, seasoned pros and everyone in between. The company’s CES concepts depict these technologies delivering premium experiences, such as adventures on boats that adapt to their surroundings based on real-time conditions, automatically making adjustments based on boater preference or skill level. Customized “boating experience packages” could cater to boaters’ specific preferences and needs, including the level of automation desired and the equipment used. With full marine automation, boaters could spend more time enjoying the water, connecting to the environment and socializing with family and friends.Volvo Penta imagines AI-based experiential programs that could guide boaters on learning journeys, coaching, nudging and testing them as they increase their skill levels. The company conceptualizes boating experiences that could evolve as the artificial intelligence analyzes surroundings, providing ideal recommendations linked to boaters’ personal preferences and abilities. These could potentially be “gamified” experiences that are based on reaching new milestones. Volvo Penta believes artificial intelligence has the potential to deliver personalized experiences that tailor adventures around destinations, watersports, entertainment and more.
Boating on demand
Volvo Penta envisions boating marketplace apps that provide boating as an on-demand service, which would encourage more people to get out on the water, whether they deem themselves a boater or not. This could attract a whole new audience of boaters that aren’t intimidated by the costs or perceived complexity of boating life.This type of service would provide the opportunity for boaters to enjoy the tailor-made experiences offered by constantly evolving artificial intelligence and marine automation technologies. They could be booked through an app and paid via subscription or on-demand. Customers could select the number of people, specify their experience levels and preferred activities, book their time and pay. Shuttle services could bring people to a dock, where the customized and fully prepared boat is waiting for them.
Volvo Penta sees that boating on demand could signify boating truly becoming accessible to everyone. Manufacturers and service providers — not customers — maintain and implement the latest technology updates.
Volvo Penta “Islands”
These floating, independent structures could expand the boating experience by offering a suite of services for boaters already out on the water. They could act as charging stations for electric boats, accelerating the transition to electromobility at sea, and could be powered by solar, wind or hydroelectric energy. Volvo Penta Islands could act as boating community hubs, with facilities such as restaurants, equipment servicing and support, concierge services and more. Boaters could be offered a variety of ways to upgrade their experiences, or simply enable them to relax and explore while their boats are being charged or serviced. Below the surface, Volvo Penta Islands could host underwater mussel farms or act as refuges for local marine life. Boaters, electric boat builders, electromobility and battery charging specialists, turbine suppliers and marine service networks, among others, have all shown great interest in collaborating with Volvo Penta on this compelling concept.Shared Energy, Services and “Stingrays”
Volvo Penta foresees a future in which energy sharing and the autonomous recharging of boats accelerate the shift toward electric vessels at sea, making boating a more sustainable endeavor. Vessel-to-vessel energy sharing could work through “digital anchoring” — boats would autonomously position themselves together on the water, automatically adjusting their position based on conditions without the need for tie-up — and then share energy and services through digital connections.Volvo Penta’s “Stingrays” concept could enable this type of recharging. These marine autonomous, submersible charging pods would deploy automatically, “swim” to a vessel and recharge its battery, enabling an effortless recharge and a seamless experience that gives boaters full peace of mind. By eliminating confusing or inconvenient charging schemes, these autonomous charging pods could accelerate the move to electric boating.
