Digital Yacht - From Southampton Boat Show 2010 - Exclusive Look at iAIS Wireless Receiver

Digital Yacht has developed a new, low cost navigation device for use with Apple's popular range of mobile products. Called iAIS, it wirelessly links a boat's navigation data to the Apple iPhone, iPad or iTouch. It also incorporates a highly sophisticated, dual channel Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver allowing compatible "apps" access to NMEA instrument, GPS and AIS data.

iAIS, which helps boaters identify other vessels that are equipped with an AIS transponder, communicates with the Apple devices via a WiFi interface. iPad and iPhone users simply turn on their device to wirelessly connect to the iAIS hot spot. No connection to the internet is needed and there are no cumbersome cables to connect. The AIS data (which brings information such as position, name, call sign, MMSI number, course and speed of other ships) then becomes available for any compatible application. This information is essential in alerting boaters to others in close proximity and can help calculate if paths are likely to cross and how soon. AIS is an essential piece of kit that enthusiasts and professionals alike will not set sail without, as it is proving to be key in collision avoidance.

iAIS also multiplexes any other NMEA data that is available on board the boat - for instance GPS, depth, speed, wind etc. All of this information is combined with the AIS data into the wireless feed. Some users have complained that the GPS devices incorporated into the iPhone and iPad suffer from jitter or poor lock-on, but by using your onboard GPS or even hand held marine GPS you will get substantially improved GPS readings on any compatible application. iAIS just requires a connection to a standard VHF antenna.

The most popular application for the iPhone and iPad, which can support a real time GPS overlay and AIS, is the iNavX app. Compatible with Navionic's charts, iNavX provides a complete set of navigation functions that turns your portable Apple device in to a fully functional electronic chart plotter. Digital Yacht will also produce a free-of-charge, simple, AIS overlay app, which is due for release next month.

iAIS is also compatible with any PC or other application (Android, Windows Mobile etc) that can accept wireless (TCP/IP) data for navigation information. It will be available to buy from October 2010 from Digital Yacht and its dealer/distributor network.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• iais
• receiver
• ais
• wireless
• wifi
• apple
• mac
• iphone
• itouch
• ipad
• inavx
• software

[bobbobmarley27]

hi i have a question..if ur boat is in the part of pacific ocean..how can u use this?how can u get signals for to work this device?do i need internet connection for this device?

[DigitalYachtLimited]

@bobbobmarley27 Hi! Thanks for your interest. iAIS actually creates its own wifi hotspot, so connection to the internet isn't needed. Check out the website digitalyacht.co.uk and under dealers it has the phone number of dealers worldwide who could advise you further or if you go to the About Us section you will find the contact numbers for our UK and America office. Hope this helps!



[DigitalYachtLimited]

iAIS wirelessly links a boat's navigation data to the Apple iPhone, iPad or iTouch. It also incorporates a highly sophisticated, dual channel Automatic Identification System (AIS) receiver allowing compatible “apps” access to NMEA instrument, GPS and AIS data. iAIS communicates with the Apple devices via a WiFi interface. Users simply turn on their device to wirelessly connect to the iAIS hot spot. iAIS just requires a connection to a standard VHF antenna.

[bobbobmarley27]

@DigitalYachtLimited so in short ...if u are in the middle of pacific ocean you can use this device without wifi or net conection?