Exploring the metaverse: The future of yachting

Technological advancements in the industry have increased ten-fold in recent years, with GPS navigation and high-speed internet connectivity found on board every yacht afloat, and developments in technologies that have changed the way that yachts are both built and operated. Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is already in place on many yachts, with AI yacht management, navigation systems and operational sensors helping to streamline operations and maintenance. 

How far technological advancements will go in yachting is yet unknown, but it is an ever-changing situation that has the potential to completely reshape the industry as we know it. Burgess takes a look at what the virtual world has in store for the industry and how it might affect everything from the consumer experience to the maintenance and operations, and even the design and build, of these magnificent vessels.   

How can the metaverse benefit the yachting sector?

The metaverse allows users to engage and explore the yachting lifestyle, with virtual worlds and events hosted by high-profile brands targeting a new client base. The potential to reach new audiences and increase engagement, with prospective superyacht clients through metaverse marketing is an exciting prospect, as it allows for more interactive and unique content. 

Given that a yacht can only be in one place at one time, virtual and augmented reality enables the potential end user to taste the experience before trying it for real. Virtual tours help buyers and charterers visualise a yacht that could be positioned anywhere in the world, allowing for a totally immersive and enhanced buying, or booking experience.  

Complementing the metaverse, artificial intelligence (AI) is one area that many are predicting will revolutionise certain areas of the industry. From the safe and efficient running and maintenance of a yacht to navigation, there are all sorts of ways in which AI is poised to benefit a yacht’s operations. Already, AI systems can be used to monitor technical areas of the yacht, improving maintenance of the engine and other mechanical areas on board. 

AI navigation systems can also plan the most efficient running of the yacht, and can be used to provide instant, real-time information on itineraries and route guidance, analysing weather patterns and sea conditions. It can predict near-future weather patterns through algorithms and analyse data to ensure the best experience for the yacht owner or charterer. Added to this are the benefits of improved data collection, allowing crewmembers and managers to improve a yacht's overall efficiency and forward planning.  

How AI is being used by the superyacht industry  

New and emerging technologies already have and will continue to change the way that yachts are designed, engineered and operated at such a fast pace that a few key industry players have already adopted AI and Augmented Reality (AR). From designers and shipyards to yacht managers, the industry is no longer simply experimenting. 

Feadship, for example, is working on an AI and data optimisation system to run diagnostics and provide maintenance reports remotely to an owner; and Rossinavi has incorporated AI in concept yachts in the form of its BluE eco-centric navigation technology and AI engine which creates an ‘intelligent vessel’ to monitor habits and save energy, among other things. While technology is ready for some degree of autonomous navigation, however, costs and regulatory requirements mean that it is still not in full operation.  

When it comes to the actual design of a superyacht then AI is a hot topic. Many of the leading designers have adopted some form of AI to aid in their superyacht design process, experimenting with generative AI to explore and inspire. However, rather than AI software, such as Midjourney and Dall-E, being used to design a yacht from start to finish, designers are using AI alongside other tools to produce visuals in a quicker way, thereby leaving the human yacht designer with more time to utilise their creativity. 

Given that AI currently depends on existing data, there will always be a lack of innovation, along with issues of copyright and plagiarism. Added to this are the practical limitations of basic yacht design that only an experienced yacht designer understands.  However, for technical calculations and optimising layouts and designs, AI can provide some excellent time saving measures and efficiencies. 

How sustainable is the metaverse?  

Whether using AI to create yacht simulations to make yachts more energy efficient or using the metaverse for virtual events, there are many ways in which the metaverse can be used to benefit the environment. However, data processing and storage comes at an environmental cost as the energy consumption of data centres is enormous, even with cloud data. Whether the benefits, including streamlined yacht operations and virtual travel allowing for reduced emissions, outweigh the pitfalls in terms of the vast energy consumption for data centres and VR technologies, along with concerns about intellectual property, we will need to ensure the metaverse is developed responsibly and sustainably.