PHOTO COURTESY OF VOLVO PENTA
At the 2021 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this month, Volvo Penta launched an industry first: A fully integrated Assisted Docking system that gives the captain better control and makes docking smooth and easy even in rough conditions.
Docking is typically one of the most stressful and problematic aspects of boating, and the intuitive new system automates the docking process while compensating for variables like wind and current, keeping the vessel on its intended course.
“Our aim has long been to make things easier for our existing customers and to attract more people to enjoy the boating experience,” says Anders Thorin, product manager of electronics at Volvo Penta. “Current Volvo Penta customers will be able to enjoy the Assisted Docking system with a relatively simple update, which can be performed by a local dealer. For those new to boating, it will be the first step into the world of modern boating and, we hope, the first of many new adventures to come.”
The Assisted Docking system works by integrating a new software layer developed in-house with the GPS-based Dynamic Positioning System and Inboard Performance Systems to provide the ultimate package, complete with a human-machine interface (HMI) at the helm, helping anyone feel like a seasoned captain when it comes to docking.
The Volvo Penta Assisted Docking system will be commercially available in the spring of 2021 for installation on new boat models, as an upgradable option and as a retrofit. To learn more, visit volvopenta.com.
