Computer controlled kite for boats

[cemdev]

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.

I prefer just jumping into things, way more fun that way. I'm starting with adding sensors to the kite (which I'll fly manually, on the ground) to get the data.

[cemdev]

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...

Relaunch will be one of the easier problems to solve I think. Unlike regular kiting - you don't have to launch with 4, 20m+ lines. If my idea works out - it'll be 1 line until just a meter or two below the kite where it will split to 4, so less things to get tangled. In addition - you don't need to launch with 20m+ of line. You can launch with just 2m or 3m and then reel out the line from the winch to the desired height. Ultimately a short mast would be ideal as the kite could actually self-launch really easily.

[augustbering]

Hi, any updates on this, did you get it to work? I checked some of those kite-power companies now and none of them seems very active anymore.

[Baptiste_FR]

There's another project called SeaWing (it's part of Airbus). It's mainly to reduce fuel consumption for big boats.

[Bille]

1000m kite ; so how many kiteboarders could ya hook-Up to that beast ?

Bille

[Baptiste_FR]

1000m kite ; so how many kiteboarders could ya hook-Up to that beast ?

According to the AirSeas website, this 1000m² kite is able to deliver 100 tons of traction.
With a 75 kg rider => 1 333 riders

[Bille]

...
With a 75 kg rider => 1 333 riders
...

LOL !!

Bille

[augustbering]

Looks pretty cool! I'm a bit curious though, these kite-power solutions have been in existence for at least 10-15 years and yet nobody seems to be really using them, all you see is computer animations and some tests. I guess there are a lot more problems with these systems than what's communicated. @cendev did you get yours to work?

[Baptiste_FR]

Not many news on the subject, but first tries have been really good according to Airseas. There is a video in the tweet.

[alpaia]

Baptiste thanks really interesting development,
As you said field testing is essential...
Is your company / project anyway related to
The work of Yves Parlier and modelling done at ensta ?
They seem to make progress in kite control automation