On February 2nd, Everblue Technologies announced that it had developed an unmanned sailing boat-type drone "everblue AST-201" with a total length of 2m.
As a product capable of remote/automated navigation for unmanned surveys and small cargo transportation, trial operation and trial sales will be started for market introduction. The suggested selling price is 5 million yen (excluding tax).
The company has so far developed the "Type-A Prototype" for unmanned surveys and the "Type-X Prototype" for unmanned cargo transportation capable of loading cargo of 100 kg or more. The "everblue AST-201" announced this time is said to be a full-fledged practical model by applying unmanned sailing technology cultivated through various demonstration tests.
In addition, by making it a monohull (single hull), it has increased resilience, and has a structure that makes it difficult to sink even in large waves, improving safety. In addition, it is equipped with a "collision prevention safety device". Monitor your surroundings and perform collision avoidance. Operation uses the automatic ship operation function of the smartphone application "eb-CONNECT" provided as a common platform service. Just set the destination and you can easily steer the ship.
The maximum load capacity is 18 kg (8 kg + inner ballast 10 kg), and it can also be equipped with measuring equipment such as small fish finders and marine survey equipment. It is expected to be used for underwater and underwater photography, and for unmanned search ships that search for schools of fish.
In addition, the basics are sailing using wind power (equipped with a motor that can be used as auxiliary power when the wind is weak or when docking and docking), and because there are no costs such as labor costs or fuel costs, it has not been profitable until now. It is said that it can also be used for water patrol applications that could not be realized.
The total height is 2.2m. The hull weight is 32 kg. Equipment weight is 40kg.
Navigation distance is 5 km (coastal). Motor sailing time is 30 minutes. Sailing time is 10 hours. Cruising speed is 5km/h (however, it varies depending on sea conditions and wind speed).
From February 2nd to February 14th, I will participate in the "bouncy store", a collaboration project between Isetan Mitsukoshi and bouncy, held at the Shinjuku Isetan Men's Building. In addition to exhibiting a 1/2 scale sample model (wooden) of AST-201, we are planning to sell pre-orders for trial sales.