A company called Marine Robotic Vessels (MRV) International has developed the Ghost Guard. This brilliantly named vessel (an Unmanned Surface Vessel or USV) uses some technologies that will hopefully be available to all of us very soon. It will give 'push-button sailing' a whole different meaning...
So what's next? The boating equivalent of DARPA's Grand Challenge for autonomous ground vehicles?
"Almost any hull can be configured by MRVI as a Ghost Guard� to function as an affordable method of mounting water-borne surveillance in all weathers and by day and night. The heart of the Ghost Guard system is MRVI's new generation software, which comprises remote command and control, navigation, route planning/re-planning, event and crisis management, full onboard diagnostics and dial-up diagnostics. COTS-sourced integrated systems, including camera and vision systems, will provide surveillance that could not be mounted in any other way. Using a launch and recovery system, Ghost Guard can be deployed, operated and recovered from vessels underway." Click here to download the Ghost Guard video (62MB, .avi).
Since I was discussing Bluetooth-enabled devices already, here is a round-up of different Bluetooth GPS receivers currently available. Although the review is focused on the use of these devices together with PDA's with streetmap software installed, they are compliant with NMEA standards. This means they will work with your Pocket PC navigation software as well. Just beware of the fact that they are not necessarily ready for use in a (harsh) maritime environment.
There is definitely a benefit in using this type of solution over using something like Mitac's Pocket PC with integrated GPS: "The major benefit of a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver is that it doesn�t have to be physically connected to the Pocket PC. That eliminates a tangle of cables that dangle in your way while you are walking or driving. In addition, Bluetooth solutions let you position the GPS receiver for optimal GPS reception, and your Pocket PC separately for the best viewing. Bluetooth can travel around corners, and through clothing and other material."
I've talked about the potential of radar and navigation capabilities on cellphones before, but in Japan it is already happening. Although currently meant for navigation in a city environment, it's a perfect example of how cellphones are becoming powerful enough to perform such functions. Combine that with the fact that both cellphones and marine instruments are becoming more and more Bluetooth-enabled, so they can communicate wirelessly, and you will realize that we don't need a dedicated navigation-PC anymore.... Just the monitor.
"Japanese firms Index and Jicoux have developed a navigation system application that runs on 3G GPS phones with digital compasses (which, at the moment, means KDDI's au service in Japan). It includes the ability to show a "radar display" of the location of nearby friends, places of interest, or bus and train stations useful in getting to your destination. There's also a B2B aspect to the service in that, as with most web-based map systems, it would be possible to pay to have your business location displayed on the radar."
The BBC is running a story on the advances of in-car entertainment. It's not difficult to see how all of this can be applied to yachts as well. Especially the smaller, multi-cabin, boats will benefit from the economies of scale that are being realized in the automotive industry. It's not difficult, nor very expensive (Amazon), to create a personalized entertainment set-up in every cabin. And in the cockpit or saloon as well for that matter. In case you don't feel like any roof-mounted displays, why not use Sony's new wireless Air Board (LF-X1) which is for sale as of last Friday.
One other nice feature that is discussed by the BBC article is voice-control over all these entertainment devices. Again, the development in the automotive sector will create a precedent for yachting. Voice-control can not only be applied to entertainment, but to navigation as well, even more since PC technology is making a strong entry into the maritime environment.
"We're also building in 20GB hard drives Now you can take your home movies, and potentially other DVDS, record them onto a disc, record them onto a unit and keep them in the car. Now you don't actually have to bring in the DVD or the discs."
"A lot of it is voice-controlled and voice-interactive as well, the navigation systems, for example. But voice technology is far from perfect, and a screen can also be a life-saver. A rear view mirror can be connected to a video camera on the back bumper, or simply show an image of the backseat, obviously of potential use for baby monitoring."
If you'd like a more detailed view on things like NMEA-0183 and GPS, have a look at Peter Bennett's website.
"The NMEA 0183 Interface Standard defines electrical signal requirements, data transmission protocol and time, and specific sentence formats for a 4800-baud serial data bus. Each bus may have only one talker but many listeners."
"The National Marine Electronics Association has introduced the long awaited NMEA 2000 interface standard. The standard contains the requirements of a serial data communications network to inter-connect marine electronic equipment on vessels. It is multi-master and self configuring, and there is no central network controller. Equipment designed to this standard will have the ability to share data, including commands and status with other compatible equipment over a single channel."
Awarded by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), is Marelux's Yacht Controller. It's not cheap (think $5K), but it's a great 'gadget'. A do-it-all remote control for operating your yacht, even if you're not on board...
Marelux Yacht Controller allows an owner with minimum boating experience to use a small handheld device to totally control the movement of the yacht, and is especially useful for docking. "You can even step onto a dock and handle your own dock lines (though it�s probably a good idea to have someone onboard ready to take over if something goes amiss)."
I raised a question about the rise of the NMEA 2000 standard on Google Groups and got some interesting (but technical) answers that might help you decide on whether or not to spend your time and/or money on this subject and related electronics...
Meindert Sprang: "My biggest problem is the cost involved. To get your first product on the market, you have to buy the standard documents and test suites and apply for a vendor- and product ID. This will cost $10,500 total, quite a hurdle for small manufacturers. My 'all time favourite' would be a marriage between NMEA-0813 and SeaTalk and some other features.
Joe Wood: "Therefore, my favorite solution is NMEA 0183 sentences, text readable ASCII and all, over IP multicast Class E addresses with some entity keeping track of an IP address registry. At 100BaseTX rates each device can put out whatever sentences it wants at whatever rate it wants and the consuming devices can simply subscribe to those multicast IPs it is interested in. Streaming video and all. The silicon is there; the software is there, too."
ShipModul Marine Electronics has come out with a new product, a Bluetooth enabled NMEA multiplexer, that facilitates wireless communication between your PC and marine instruments like a GPS, wind & depth meters or compass. The multiplexer functions as a sort of 'hub' between these different devices, and since it's a Class 1 Bluetooth device, it operates within a theoretical range of 300ft. It works with all products that are based on the NMEA-0183 standard. This surely a nice product, but let's hope Zigbee-devices will arrive soon so that we can cut all cords between sensors, displays, multiplexers (if required at all al that time) and PC's.
"The MiniPlex-42BT communicates with a computer through its' Bluetooth interface for computerized nagivation. No cables need to be attached. Just placing your laptop at the chart table, or just being on board for that matter, is enough to communicate with your navigation system. Both NMEA outputs (talker ports) allow distribution of the NMEA data to up to eight instruments."
Simrad has launched a NMEA 2000 compatible networking system. Using an active interface SimNet is also able to connect to existing equipment using NMEA 0183.
"The new Simrad SimNet plug and play integration system provides an exceptionally easy installation and interface between plotters, radar, autopilots, VHF radios and other instruments. SimNet offers the simplest solution for the integration of marine electronics and is set to revolutionize on board connectivity between navigation, steering and communication systems. It's size makes installation of onboard networks easy, 10mm holes are all that are required to feed the cable through bulkheads and walls and deck. This has been achieved by downsizing the plugs themselves and by designing the system to run without the large "ferrite interference suppresser" blocks found on other data cabling systems."
Networked systems, allowing you to have integrated access to all relevant data on one display, are all the rage these days. Over at Practical-Sailor.com they have a review of two high-end systems: Furuno vs. Raymarine.
"Lots of marine electronics makers produce stand-alone components like a radar, chartplotter, or depthsounder. It used to be the only way to go. But, nowadays integrated units are all the rage, and are available from several manufacturers, including SI-TEX and Simrad. But to take things to the highest level, to what is today the state of the art, you'll need a "networked" system."
A company called Marine Robotic Vessels (MRV) International has developed the Ghost Guard. This brilliantly named vessel (an Unmanned Surface Vessel or USV) uses some technologies that will hopefully be available to all of us very soon. It will give 'push-button sailing' a whole different meaning...
"Almost any hull can be configured by MRVI as a Ghost Guard� to function as an affordable method of mounting water-borne surveillance in all weathers and by day and night. The heart of the Ghost Guard system is MRVI's new generation software, which comprises remote command and control, navigation, route planning/re-planning, event and crisis management, full onboard diagnostics and dial-up diagnostics. COTS-sourced integrated systems, including camera and vision systems, will provide surveillance that could not be mounted in any other way. Using a launch and recovery system, Ghost Guard can be deployed, operated and recovered from vessels underway." Click here to download the Ghost Guard video (62MB, .avi).
Since I was 
One other nice feature that is discussed by the BBC article is voice-control over all these entertainment devices. Again, the development in the automotive sector will create a precedent for yachting. Voice-control can not only be applied to entertainment, but to navigation as well, even more since PC technology is making a strong entry into the maritime environment.
If you'd like a more detailed view on things like NMEA-0183 and GPS, have a look at Peter Bennett's 
Awarded by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), is Marelux's Yacht Controller. It's not cheap (think $5K), but it's a great 'gadget'. A do-it-all remote control for operating your yacht, even if you're not on board...
The multiplexer 
Simrad has launched a NMEA 2000 compatible networking system. Using an active interface SimNet is also able to connect to existing equipment using NMEA 0183.
Networked systems, allowing you to have integrated access to all relevant data on one display, are all the rage these days. Over at Practical-Sailor.com they have a