Computer controlled kite for boats

[cemdev]

I need a little side project for the summer - and have decided to attempt to build a computer-controlled kite-powered boat.

I'm thinking an arduino board with a bunch of sensors, 2 servo winches for steering/depower and a regular winch for letting out/pulling in the line. Once I have the sensor data, build in regular presets for 12 o'clock, 45 degrees, and standard up/down power movements, and eventually figure of 8s for going downwind - all attached to an old de-masted hobey cat.

Anybody else try something like this? I'm aware of kiteboat project (makani guys) and skysail obviously, but I'm talking at the hobbyist level. Would love to chat to anyone who has.

[Bille]

I need a little side project for the summer - and have decided to attempt to build a computer-controlled kite-powered boat.

...

COOL Project !!
Are you studying to be an engineer ; or just into mechanical puzzles ?

I believe Peter-Lynn was the first to use a kite to help power ships across the ocean ; also
this may help with your project, because they use the same sort of algorithms to control
a kite as what you mentioned, (but they use rigid-wings instead of closed-cell kites).
Google search : high-altitude wind power

https://www.google.com/search?q=high-al ... from+kites+

Bille

[LmpPst]

Have you seen info on this company:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS_Belu ... Kite_power

They utilize a similar process for some of their cargo ships.

[shawn13]

I think your project is cool! Excited to see how it turns out.

I have seen the kiteboat but never skysails, so i watched the video and i was verymuch surprised of the performance.

Anyone interested here is the video:

[cemdev]

thanks for the words of encouragement! I'm not an engineer in the traditional sense, but am a software engineer - so I'm looking forward to a software & hardware project for a change. I've been doing quite a bit of research on it - and it seems feasible so I figured it's a good one to play with. I've got an old 13m bandit to play with (if it gets shredded, no big deal). Will post updates as soon as I have anything interesting

[SENDIT!]

I think your project is cool! Excited to see how it turns out.

I have seen the kiteboat but never skysails, so i watched the video and i was verymuch surprised of the performance.

Anyone interested here is the video:

"These kites range in size from 150 to 600m!" Holy crap! And I thought our 17's were huge!

[cemdev]

"These kites range in size from 150 to 600m!" Holy crap! And I thought our 17's were huge!

Yep! Looking at something a wee bit smaller to start with

[shawn13]

I think your project is cool! Excited to see how it turns out.

I have seen the kiteboat but never skysails, so i watched the video and i was verymuch surprised of the performance.

"These kites range in size from 150 to 600m!" Holy crap! And I thought our 17's were huge!

its actually the Infinity V6!!!!

[joriws]

As software engineer I would first build a simulator with expected sensor data and evaluate if correct steering inputs could be made. Like agile development what sensor are needed and where (at kite or at boat). Then if everything works I'd start planning actual hardware. Not vice versa.

[Pemba]

Yes, great stuff. just wonder what the risk is of that kite collapsing or something and hitting the water. Relaunch must be a real bitch...