EcoPilot
Assistance system for efficient scheduled services
EcoPilot analyses the current journey and supports the crew with specific speed recommendations. This allows the available travel time to be used optimally, avoids unnecessarily high power demand and reduces fuel or energy consumption. For training purposes, journeys and manoeuvres can be simulated in the training tool.
What is EcoPilot?
EcoPilot is an assistance system for the crew. During the trip, the module analyses the current position, the remaining distance, the available travel time and relevant operating data such as current or expected passenger numbers. It continuously calculates an energy-efficient speed recommendation for the next part of the journey.
The recommendation is displayed clearly on a screen at the helm. The crew remains in full control at all times and decides how to assess the situation and operate the vessel.
For training purposes, the platform also allows historical voyages to be analysed and simulated.
Who is EcoPilot for?
EcoPilot is used by the crew and is aimed in particular at operators of passenger vessels, ferries and scheduled service vessels with regular routes and defined travel times. The module is suitable for companies that want to reduce fuel or energy consumption without compromising timetables, comfort or operational safety.
What are the benefits?
EcoPilot helps to use time reserves during a voyage in a targeted way. Instead of travelling unnecessarily fast and arriving too early, the crew receives a continuously updated recommendation for an efficient operating speed.
Based on our experience, this can reduce fuel or electricity consumption, operating costs and emissions by up to 25 per cent. At the same time, EcoPilot supports smooth and punctual operations, regardless of who is operating the vessel.
The training platform also supports staff training and further education. This opens up new possibilities for supported training scenarios as well.
Use-Cases
Discover how EcoPilot is already helping our customers today.
Optimising driving style on scheduled routes
EcoPilot takes the current journey progress into account and continuously adjusts the speed. This ensures the vessel operates smoothly and on time, even when delays occur or time reserves are available. By avoiding journey sections in inefficient speed ranges, energy consumption and emissions can be significantly reduced. Even small adjustments can have a major impact.
Harmonising different driving styles
A vessel may be operated by several captains, whose driving styles differ. At the same time, there are stops with strict punctuality requirements, for example because of public transport connections or crossings, and others with less demanding constraints. EcoPilot gives everyone the same data-based decision-making foundation and supports consistently efficient operations across all voyages.
Training with real operating data
The training platform allows captains to practise efficient driving styles in a realistic way. This makes it possible to teach and internalise how EcoPilot works and how to operate effectively in scheduled service.
Even more intuitive
EcoPilot integrated in the control lever
For rebuilds and new builds, EcoPilot can be integrated directly into a smart control lever. The ideal lever position is shown continuously on screen and indicated haptically through simulated detents, making the recommended operating style even more intuitive to follow.
Will EcoPilot work on my vessel?
EcoPilot can be used for all vessels with a fixed arrival time at a destination. This includes scheduled service vessels and ferries, as well as any other vessel operating on a defined route with a required arrival time.
Adapted versions of EcoPilot are also possible for other use cases.
