Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha

Juan Pablo Afman

Thomas Gurriet

A watercraft auto-docking system basically includes a user interface and a digital controller. The user interface includes a display monitor. The digital controller includes a processor, a computer memory and an I/O interface. The user interface is connected to the I/O interface. The digital controller is configured to graphically display a map image with at least one selectable dock on the display monitor. The digital controller is further configured to select a target dock for docking a watercraft in an auto-docking mode in response to a user input selecting a selectable dock on the map image using the user interface. The digital controller is configured to generate a docking path from a current location of the watercraft to a target location of the target dock. The digital controller is configured to autonomously navigate the watercraft using an autopilot system along the docking path until the watercraft reaches the target location of the target dock.

Watercraft auto-docking system and watercraft auto-docking method

A watercraft auto-docking system basically includes a user interface and a digital controller. The user interface includes a display monitor. The digital controller includes a processor, a computer memory and an I/O interface. The user interface is connected to the I/O interface. The digital controller is configured to select a target dock based on a user selection from at least one candidate dock displayed on the display monitor using the user interface for docking a watercraft in an auto-docking mode. The digital controller is configured to generate a docking path from a current location of the watercraft to a target location of the target dock. The digital controller is configured to autonomously navigate the watercraft using an autopilot system along the docking path until the watercraft reaches the target location of the target dock.

A watercraft control system is configured to maintain a prescribed distance between a host watercraft and a stationary or anchored object. The watercraft control system can be integrated with a main watercraft control system of the host watercraft, or can be an add-on watercraft control system that supplements the main watercraft control system of the host watercraft. The watercraft control system basically includes a detector and a digital controller. The detector is configured to detect a stationary or anchored object spaced from a host watercraft. The digital controller is configured to communicate with the detector to receive a detection signal from the detector. The digital controller is configured to output at least one control command to a propulsion unit of the host watercraft to maintain a prescribed distance between the host watercraft and the stationary or anchored object.

Watercraft and watercraft control system

A watercraft control system is configured to track and follow a lead watercraft cruising ahead of a host watercraft. The watercraft control system basically includes a detector and a digital controller. The watercraft control system can be integrated with a main watercraft control system of the host watercraft, or can be an add-on watercraft control system that supplements the main watercraft control system of the host watercraft. The detector is configured to detect the lead watercraft in front of the host watercraft. The digital controller is configured to communicate with the detector's processor to receive a detection signal from the detector. The digital controller is configured to output at least one control command related to a propulsion direction of the host watercraft and a propulsion force of the host watercraft to at least a propulsion unit of the host watercraft to track and follow the lead watercraft.

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Kennesaw, GA, United States of America

Juan Pablo Afman