The over 25 years of experience and hundreds of innovative audio/video, entertainment, IT and lighting & comfort systems, installed on board superyachts sailing around the world, are the hallmarks of Videoworks.

  • The first implementation of AI, curated by Videoworks on Rossinavi’s Seawolf catamaran, was presented during a press conference at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024
  • Sergio Saponara of the Department of Computer Engineering of the University of Pisa illustrated the possible applications of AI to boating
  • Seawolf, a 42m hybrid-electric catamaran, represents the ultimate expression of Rossinavi’s new sustainable philosophy called BluE
  • Also on display in the Videoworks stand were the new TV screens by Loewe (the champions of design and technology), the SD WAN system (to optimise Internet connection on yachts) and the ETO Panel, for the control of all onboard functions
Rossinavi M/Y Seawolf X - photo © Rossinavi

Bolstered by this experience and achievements, the Italian company is always looking ahead. Yet again this year it surprised the press and operators in the sector at the Monaco Yacht Show 2024 (25-28 September) by presenting the first real implementation of AI (Artificial Intelligence) on Seawolf, a Rossinavi hybrid-electric catamaran. This preview is in addition to three other new products on display: the new TV screens by Loewe (the champions of design and technology), the SD-WAN system (to optimise Internet connections on yachts) and the ETO Panel, for the control of all onboard functions.

Videoworks AI - photo © Videoworks

AI is ready to sail thanks to Videoworks

During the press conference at the Monaco Yacht Show, Videoworks presented the AI installation assembled on Seawolf, a catamaran that is a champion of sustainability also thanks to the systems developed by the Ancona-based international company.

It was up to Sergio Saponara, Director of the Department of Information Engineering of the University of Pisa, to introduce the topic, first with a description of the state of the art of the technology and then explaining the opportunities for implementation in the nautical world. “The collaboration between the University of Pisa and Videoworks has demonstrated the great potential of the application of AI to the world of luxury yachts,” he said. “Through the creation of digital models, it is possible, on the one hand, to monitor all onboard functions and, on the other, to optimise them, which has the added benefit of improving guest comfort and, at the same time, reducing energy and environmental impact. In practice, here is the confirmation that combining the world of large yachts with the world of sustainability is possible. A further evolution in the use of AI for yachting will be the implementation of robotic technologies. In addition to giving suggestions for the correct management of the installed engineering plants, these technologies will also be able to manage the execution and automatic control phases.”

Videoworks AI - photo © Videoworks

Claudia Rossi, Rossinavi’s Chief Commercial Officer, was given the task of diving deeper into the entrepreneurial vision that led to the introduction of AI on Seawolf. “The installation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) system focused on power management aboard yachts represents a significant innovation in the maritime sector, aimed at optimizing fuel consumption and supporting the crew. This approach not only facilitates more efficient navigation but also marks a tangible step toward the yachts of the future. As a shipyard, while we do not have control over the fuels of the future, we recognize that, for now, diesel remains the most efficient. However, the ability to build yachts with a BluE infrastructure equipped with AI designed to reduce emissions gives us a competitive edge. We are already accumulating a wealth of valuable information through machine learning, which prepares us for future developments in propulsion. To provide a concrete example: a traditional 500 GT vessel consumes between 45,000 and 55,000 liters of diesel to travel approximately 3,500 nautical miles. In contrast, Seawolf X, a catamaran equipped with AI, covers 3,800 nautical miles using only 15,000 liters of fuel.” said Claudia Rossi.

Maurizio Minossi, CEO of Videoworks, then explained what had been done. “With Rossinavi, Videoworks has developed an onboard Artificial Intelligence system, called Rossinavi AI, to improve comfort and maximise the yacht’s ecological potential. Artificial intelligence constantly analyses how the ship functions, learning from behaviour observation and then predicting the needs of guests on board. Rossinavi AI dialogues with crew members, recommending low-impact behaviours and teaching them to sail with full environmental awareness.”