A marine autopilot system configured to control a marine vessel through a marine environment is disclosed herein. The marine autopilot system may obtain data of the marine environment from charts and community shared data and generate a path from a first location to a destination location in the marine environment. The marine autopilot system may control the marine vessel along the path based on the marine vessel dynamics and weather and water current conditions. Sensors may detect hazards on and in the water and object detections systems may classify the hazards. The marine autopilot system may control the marine vessel to avoid the hazards based on the location and classification of the hazards. Furthermore, sensors may be utilized to generate detailed 3D maps that change with time to dock the marine vessel at known and unknown locations.

A method of monitoring accelerations on a vessel includes measuring acceleration on the vessel using one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are communicatively coupled to a computing unit. Real-time acceleration information representative of an acceleration on the vessel based at least in part on the measured acceleration from the one or more sensors is generated. Acceleration prediction information representative of predicted wave slam using the computing unit is generated. Using the acceleration prediction information, automatic control of trim, steering, or throttle controls of the vessel is performed in a fashion computed to reduce the effects of the predicted wave slam.

A method of monitoring accelerations on a vessel includes measuring acceleration on the vessel using one or more sensors. The one or more sensors are communicatively coupled to a computing unit. Real-time acceleration information representative of an acceleration on the vessel based at least in part on the measured acceleration from the one or more sensors is generated. Acceleration prediction information representative of predicted wave slam using the computing unit is generated. Using the acceleration prediction information, automatic control of trim, steering, or throttle controls of the vessel is performed in a fashion computed to reduce the effects of the predicted wave slam.

Trolling motor assemblies with an integrated screen and/or user interface are provided herein. For example, the screen is integrated in the main housing or a foot pedal housing of the trolling motor assembly and accessible/visible by a user while the trolling motor is deployed. Such an assembly provides an easy-to-use and compact assembly that provides useful marine features for the user right at the trolling motor, thereby saving space and allowing the user to receive all pertinent information at their current position on the watercraft.

Trolling motor assemblies with an integrated screen and/or user interface are provided herein. For example, the screen is integrated in the main housing or a foot pedal housing of the trolling motor assembly and accessible/visible by a user while the trolling motor is deployed. Such an assembly provides an easy-to-use and compact assembly that provides useful marine features for the user right at the trolling motor, thereby saving space and allowing the user to receive all pertinent information at their current position on the watercraft.

A system for controlling a marine vessel comprises an input device for inputting an operator command, a sensor which senses and signals an engine function variable or a vessel dynamic variable, and a first structural element and a second structural element. The first structural element and the second structural element each control speed or direction of motion of the marine vessel, and the first structural element and the second structural element each affect the marine vessel dynamic variable. There is a controller which receives the operator command and the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable. The controller moves the first structural element and the second structural element based on the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable, after receiving the single operator command.

A system for controlling a marine vessel comprises an input device for inputting an operator command, a sensor which senses and signals an engine function variable or a vessel dynamic variable, and a first structural element and a second structural element. The first structural element and the second structural element each control speed or direction of motion of the marine vessel, and the first structural element and the second structural element each affect the marine vessel dynamic variable. There is a controller which receives the operator command and the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable. The controller moves the first structural element and the second structural element based on the engine function variable or the vessel dynamic variable, after receiving the single operator command.

For a vessel steering apparatus for performing a movement control to move a vessel to a target position on the basis of a signal of a GPS apparatus, a movement control stop area, a buffer area adjacent to the movement control stop area, and a movement-controlling area adjacent to the buffer area are set on the basis of the distance from the target position, wherein in the movement control stop area, thrust generation by a propulsion apparatus is stopped; in the movement-controlling area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus; and in the buffer area, thrust is generated by the propulsion apparatus of the vessel for movement control only in the case where the vessel moves from the movement-controlling area to the buffer area, then stays in the buffer area, and moves in a direction away from the target position.

A moving body control device includes a moving body direction sensor, a position sensor, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry estimates a direction of disturbance. The processing circuitry sets a target position and a starting position. The processing circuitry controls a propulsion generator and a movement direction adjuster such that a heading direction sensed by the moving body direction sensor is opposite to the direction of the disturbance estimated by the processing circuitry, and when the moving body has been drifted at least a specific distance from the target position, the moving body returns to the starting position, and the heading direction at the starting position is opposite to the direction of the disturbance. The processing circuitry changes the starting position based on a distance between the target position and a position of the moving body sensed by the position sensor.

A technique capable of determining a suitable or optimum exclusive region (bumper) setting value and improving the accuracy and others of ship collision avoidance support and automatic ship maneuvering as a result is provided. A ship maneuvering calculation device 1 calculates setting information of an automatic ship collision avoidance program 3 for achieving a function of an automatic ship collision avoidance device 2 of a vessel. The ship maneuvering calculation device 1 generates a plurality of exclusive region values 103 that are different in at least a shape and a size as parameter values for an exclusive region set around a vessel, repeatedly executes simulation calculation using the automatic ship collision avoidance program (a copy 13) while changing a condition 102 and the parameter values, calculates an evaluation value 105 corresponding to the parameter value, based on the result of the simulation calculation, determines an optimum value 106 of the exclusive region, based on the evaluation value, and sets the optimum value 106 of the exclusive region to the automatic ship collision avoidance program 3.