NaviSmart

Real-Time Tactical Sailing Telemetry

Discover the System

THE PROBLEM & THE SOLUTION

Interact with the cards below to explore the details.

THE CHALLENGE

High-performance sailing instrumentation is traditionally complex and prohibitively expensive. This leaves most clubs, schools, and amateur athletes without access to objective data, forcing coaches to rely solely on visual intuition rather than precise metrics.

OUR SOLUTION

NaviSmart is an affordable, high-precision onboard monitoring system. It captures essential dynamic metrics and transmits them in real-time to the coach's support boat, enabling instant, data-driven tactical and technical corrections during training.

WHAT MAKES US INNOVATIVE?

ZERO-DROPOUT TRANSMISSION

Instead of relying on unstable Wi-Fi on the water, we created a Radio Bridge (nRF24 Gateway + Wi-Fi). The boat transmits telemetry via long-range radio, isolating critical transmission from network dropouts.

ULTRA-LOW LATENCY

The data is not sent as heavy text but is instead packaged in a compact byte structure. This ensures a 250 kbps rate with less than 2ms of latency, enabling technical corrections at the exact moment the action takes place.

UNCOMPROMISED ACCESSIBILITY

We prove that cutting-edge technology doesn't have to be a luxury. We drastically reduced production costs by using ESP32 microcontrollers and aerospace-grade sensors, enabling clubs and independent athletes to elevate their competitive level.

SEE IT IN ACTION

Watch the NaviSmart prototype on the water.

HOW IT WORKS

From installation to live coaching in three simple steps.

1. Install the Device

Secure the NaviSmart onto the boat. The hardware is completely waterproof, robust, and specifically designed for quick plug-and-play setup.

2. Sail & Record

Once on the water, the internal high-precision sensors automatically begin capturing metrics like speed, position, heel, trim and heading.

3. Analyze Live

The device transmits data in real-time. Coaches monitor the live dashboard from the support boat to make instant tactical corrections.

Onboard Tactical Dashboard

Focus on the wind. Track the performance.

A compact, high-contrast IPS display mounted directly on the deck. Powered by an advanced dual-MCU architecture, it provides the sailor with zero-latency feedback on speed, heading, and dynamic metrics without needing to look away from the action.

  • High-Brightness IPS Screen (>800 nits)
  • IP67 "Zero-Hole" Waterproof Design
  • Real-Time Deterministic Feedback
Athlete onboard display screen

Real-Time Coach Gateway

Stop guessing. Start measuring.

The NaviSmart interface provides a clean, intuitive dashboard designed to be easily read under direct sunlight on the support boat. Receive live tactical telemetry via a dedicated radio link, and get instant insights to make race-winning decisions.

  • Long-Range RF Link (up to 1000m)
  • Live Multi-Variable Telemetry
  • Post-Session Wi-Fi Sync (Wireless Data Extraction)
Tablet showing sailing analytics dashboard

The 'NaviSmart' Telemetry Node

Robust. Waterproof. Plug-and-Play.

The core of the system is our marine-grade polycarbonate enclosure. Engineered with a strict 'Zero-Hole' policy and a transparent viewport for the display, this rugged unit attaches non-invasively to the dinghy. Inside, an asymmetrical coprocessor setup captures the boat's dynamics via high-precision inertial sensors, logging every maneuver without hindering performance.

  • Marine-Grade Polycarbonate Enclosure
  • 9-Axis Sensor Fusion & GNSS Tracking
  • Asymmetrical Coprocessor Architecture
Rugged NaviSmart marine sensor box prototype

SOLUTION BENEFICIARIES

COMPETITIVE SAILORS

Precise data to gain speed and correct mistakes in the moment.

COACHES

Real-time monitoring from the support boat, with exact metrics of what the athlete is doing.

SAILING SCHOOLS

A more visual and accessible way to teach students how to understand boat behavior.

CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS

High-performance technology at an affordable cost, making it possible to equip an entire fleet.

MEET THE TEAM

Gonçalo Silvestre

Gonçalo Silvestre

IST-ID 110649
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Mariana Menezes

Mariana Menezes

IST-ID 110530
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Joaquim Albuquerque

Joaquim Albuquerque

IST-ID 110601
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Maike Guo

Maike Guo

IST-ID 110502
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Bernardo Lopes

Bernardo Lopes

IST-ID 106433
Electrical and Computer Engineering

Daniel Ferreira

Daniel Ferreira

IST-ID 115006
Electrical and Computer Engineering

PARTNERS

Federação Portuguesa de Vela

FEDERAÇÃO PORTUGUESA DE VELA

The national governing body for sailing in Portugal, dedicated to promoting the sport, supporting athletes, and organizing competitive events from grassroots to Olympic levels.

Instituto Superior Técnico

INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO

Portugal's largest and most prestigious school of engineering, science, and technology, renowned for academic excellence and cutting-edge research.

Proudly developed at Instituto Superior Técnico. Validated in real-world conditions by the Portuguese Sailing Federation.

CONTACT US

Have questions about our project, want to learn more, or
simply want to give us your feedback?
We'd love to hear from you! Send us a message below.