UAE-based Al Marakeb, a leading boat builder, has launched the Marine Autopilot System (MAP SYS), a state-of-the-art autonomous boat control device.

The smart system can be integrated and configured with any vessel of any size to navigate a course that is wholly predetermined by the pilot, and can be used for a range of different recreational and industry applications including commercial, coastal defence, and offshore surveillance and security, said a statement from Al Marakeb.

Following Al Marakeb’s consecutive participation at International Defence and Unmanned Technology exhibitions in 2015 and 2016, they chose to develop their unmanned technology towards a commercially ready-to-use autopilot system, it said.

With MAP SYS a team of technical and navigation experts have created a range of technology features that surpass others in the market. Easy route planning, unlimited waypoints on an interactive map, and a remotely controlled steering feature that can be coordinated with a smart hand held device, rather than manually at the ship’s helm, are some of the many competitive attributes that this device offers, it added.

Basel Shuhaiber, CEO of Al Marakeb, said: “We are delighted to offer this premium and globally competitive navigation service, the result of extensive application of years of boating expertise.”

“This system will provide detailed information, all aided by a virtual co-pilot to ensure a safe journey, particularly over long sea voyages,” he said.

The expansion into a buoyant global autopilot industry comes as it is expected to exhibit significant and robust growth over the next six years. The autopilot systems market report estimated autopilot systems to be worth $2.86 billion in 2014, an industry which is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.20 per cent to reach $4.1 billion by 2020, said a statement.

This predicted market boost is underpinned by increased investment by Asia-Pacific and Latin American countries into autopilot systems for unmanned vehicles, it added. – TradeArabia News Service