Volvo Penta is expanding its capabilities, experience, and range by becoming the majority shareholder of Norwegian marine battery and electric driveline solutions supplier ZEM AS.

Volvo Penta has announced an exciting new acquisition of ZEM – a company with 12 years of market experience as a supplier of both marine battery systems and complete electric drivelines, and a strong track record in Norway, the most mature marine e-mobility market in the world.

“As a part of the Volvo Group’s great electromobility initiatives, Volvo Penta has a solid technology foundation to leverage. Marine electromobility, however, has a unique set of requirements,” explains Peter Granqvist, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Penta. “There are very specific considerations that are of the utmost importance around the installation environment, safety, as well as the use case itself plus the current lack of charging infrastructure.”

These are challenging issues that require innovative problem-solving and experience. In addition, marine regulations differ from those on-road.

“We believe that bringing different perspectives and experiences together is key when it comes to developing, and progressing, within the field of marine electromobility,” he continues. “The ambition of this fantastic acquisition is to take another step forward in our electromobility development, thanks to the specialised marine competence and offer that ZEM has today.”

Volvo Penta today announced the commercial availability of the industry’s first fully-integrated Assisted Docking system against the backdrop of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES). The Assisted Docking system gives the captain better control when docking a boat by automating his or her intentions, compensating for some dynamic variables, such as wind and current, and helping the vessel stay on its intended course.

The technology will be on display at Volvo Penta’s virtual booth at CES from 11-14 January 2021.

Docking can be one of the most stressful and challenging aspects of boating – even for experienced captains. The consequences of getting it wrong when you are docking a boat are expensive, at best – and that is in fair weather. Add crowded marinas, strong winds, and rough currents and the outcome can be problematic and even quite dangerous. Unlike a car, a boat never stands still without some manoeuvring required. And moving in a straight line, into a narrow berth in foul weather is much more difficult than steering the wheel of a car. But Volvo Penta has now taken its joystick-docking technology and easy boating solutions to the next level in its continued efforts to make docking a less stressful endeavour.

Adjust your position without drifting

The Assisted Docking system integrates a software layer developed in house with the company’s GPS-based Dynamic Positioning System and proprietary Inboard Performance Systems (IPS) for a complete package including HMI (human-machine interface) at the helm, electronics via the engine, propulsion systems and sensors, and advanced navigation processing power for a much easier boating experience, even in rough conditions.

Precision against the dock

“When we launched our joystick technology in 2006, the manoeuvring and control functionality it brought to leisure boating shook up the marine industry - delivering game-changing innovation is in our DNA,” explains Anders Thorin, Product Manager Electronics at Volvo Penta. “From our Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, which connects and manages the internal communications between the engine and driveline, joystick and display screen so the driver can control everything from the joystick – to our Dynamic Positioning System (DPS), which automatically maintains a boat’s heading and position, even in rough conditions – to today with the release of the Assisted Docking system, we take the next step in easy boating and continue our long-held ambition to make docking a boat easier for a more enjoyable boating experience.”

How to dock a boat with Volvo Penta’s Assisted Docking system

The Assisted Docking system consists of the joystick that controls the steering input and the GPS-based Dynamic Positioning System antenna to know the exact position and heading. The captain manoeuvres the vessel with the joystick – thereby informing the system which direction it should head in and at what speed. If you move the joystick forward, the system lays out a path straight forward from the boat and the boat starts to follow a straight line with the indicated speed. The boat docking system also takes into account certain external forces (i.e. wind, current) and the EVC system – upgraded with in-house developed software – compensates to ensure the boat follows the captain’s intentions. It does this by calculating drive angles and thrust, then acts on the drift and moves the boat back to its intended course. The boat docking system keeps this course by constantly fine-tuning the steering angles and thrust.

The main features of the boat docking system are: moving in straight lines without manual compensation, standing still, slow manoeuvring functionality, rotating around a fixed point, micro re-positioning and alignment, and side push for sideways docking.

It is a technical feat to give the driver an easier boating experience with more precise steering and control. The captain is still needed at the helm, but Volvo Penta’s Assisted Docking system is constantly compensating for engine input and engine and drive output to help ensure the boat moves as he or she intends. Everything is designed to work together. It is human-machine interaction at its best.

“Assisted Docking is a hybrid between automated docking and manual docking,” says Ida Sparrefors, Director of Autonomous Solutions and New Business Models at Volvo Penta. “Even though, in some ways, it would have been easier to implement full automation, the beauty of this system is that it gives the captain enhanced control. With our team of experts - from software developers to test drivers - we have made it behave intuitively in all situations, so that anyone can feel like a seasoned captain.”

Upgrades made easy

Volvo Penta’s ‘Easy Boating’ philosophy is to make boating simpler, enjoyable and accessible to more people. The Assisted Docking system will be available in spring 2021 for installation on new boat models, as an upgradeable option for Volvo Penta IPS-equipped motor yachts sized 35ft to 120ft long, and as a retrofit – which will require a software upgrade and new antenna – for existing Volvo Penta IPS-powered boats. The Assisted Docking system will be sold directly to Original Equipment Manufacturers.

Side push feature of Assisted Docking

“Our aim has long been to make things easier for our existing customers and to attract more people to enjoy the boating experience,” says Thorin. “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.”

In-house R&D

In 2018, the company unveiled its self-docking yacht prototype via a live demo event at the Volvo Ocean Race in Gothenburg, Sweden. Since then, Volvo Penta has been working tirelessly gathering input from key stakeholders and customers, evolving and testing the concept with its research and development team to deliver a product that would best meet the needs of both the experienced boater and those new to the pastime. This led to the development of Assisted Docking, the next step in modern, easy boating.

“We are really in a unique position at Volvo Penta,” explains Thorin. “Most specialist technology R&D requires only external input, but we have a team of software developers in-house. They know the products – in fact, they helped design the DPS and more – they know what boaters want and they know how to integrate the software to deliver the perfect experience.”

Volvo has an ingenious solution to one of the more stressful manoeuvres in sailing with the unveiling of its advanced self-docking technology.

In a live demonstration at the Volvo Ocean Race stopover in Gothenburg, a 68ft yacht fitted with Volvo Penta’s self-docking solution positioned itself into the tightest of spaces between two of the VOR 65 racing yachts - Turn the Tide on Plastic and Gothenburg In-Port Race winners Vestas 11th Hour Racing.

“Docking is one of the most challenging boat handling maneuvers – getting it wrong can be embarrassing, expensive and precarious,” said Björn Ingemanson, president of Volvo Penta.

“Our IPS [integrated propulsion system] has already taken great strides in making docking easier, and this new self-docking feature takes that process one important stage further.

“Its sensors and onboard computers react in milliseconds to changing wind and sea conditions, constantly making micro adjustments in power and steering angle of the IPS drive to keep the boat on its intended course into a safe berth.

“If necessary, the docking process can be paused, and the system will hold the boat stationary in the water. Even in changing sea conditions it can make the sea appear to stand still.”

The Volvo Group has been carrying out research into autonomous vehicles and the transport systems of the future for several years. The group has produced a number of examples of self-driving concept vehicles for use in restricted areas, such as mines and ports.

Safety is a primary factor in the ongoing development of such features and, as with similar ‘self-parking’ technology in the automotive world, Volvo Penta’s docking system is not designed to be fully autonomous.

While the system will also feature surround sensors that provide anti-collision alert and avoidance, the captain needs to remain at the helm during the docking process, ready to intervene if necessary.

Volvo Penta has been awarded ‘Engine-Propulsion of the Year’ during the prestigious World Yachts Trophies 2016 ceremony at the Cannes Yachting Festival. Additionally, the company was also recognised in conjunction with Amer Yachts for the ‘Most Innovative Yacht’.

The awards were presented in front of more than 500 industry professionals and customers. The trophies reward the leading innovations in the luxury boating industry throughout the past year.

Johan Wästeräng, Volvo Penta’s Vice President of Marine Leisure Product Management, accepted the ‘Engine-Propulsion of the Year’ award.

“Innovation is in our DNA and we are very appreciative to have this recognition of Volvo Penta IPS,” he said. “It is testament to the research and development we continue to do with IPS and the way that the system is regarded as the ideal choice of propulsion system for an increasing number of marine applications.”

Perfect fit

Volvo Penta IPS was hailed as revolutionary when it was first launched in 2005, due to its forward-facing twin counter-rotating propellers, which sit below the hull in undisturbed water. Superior grip ensures better performance and fuel efficiency than traditional inboard shaft engine installations; and the individually steerable pods enable excellent maneuverability. Lower emissions and greater onboard space and comfort are also features of the system.

Earlier this year Volvo Penta extended the range to match it perfectly with its new 8-liter engine, to launch the D8-IPS700 and D8-IPS800. Volvo Penta IPS is available in twin, triple or quadruple installations.

Continued innovation in yachting

The internationally-renowned Cannes Yachting Festival saw hundreds of exhibitors showcasing their latest superyachts, luxury boats, and other high-end marine applications for a discerning leisure market. The World Yachts Trophies 2016, organized by Yachts France magazine, is an annual highlight of the festival and is preceded by a yacht parade and fireworks display in the stunning marina.

Amer Yachts was awarded the ‘Most Innovative Yacht’ trophy for the Amer 100, and Volvo Penta also received recognition for its collaboration with the boat-builder to create the largest superyacht in the world to be powered by Volvo Penta IPS. The 100ft yacht is equipped with four Volvo Penta IPS1050 drives and can exceed a speed of 28 knots.

Wästeräng said: “We are continuing to see IPS become an integral part of more and more yachts. We are proud of our latest collaboration on the Amer 100, which marks a turning point for in the use of IPS for yachts 100 feet and above.”

The Amer 100 is available in two models, Charter (for a commercial use of the yacht) and High Performance (for a leisure use of the boat), and has three decks and five en-suite cabins. Barbara Amerio, owner of Amer Yachts, said: “We have found that Volvo Penta IPS is revolutionary in the advantages it brings to the market. The award recognizes that a team works well when people share their nautical experiences and when the goal for everyone is to exceed previous results. We are very proud and delighted to win the award for Most Innovative Yacht, with the collaboration from Volvo Penta.”