Robotic Marks Launch into UK Waters - a Cowes-based company to support sailing clubs
by Mark Angell 9 Apr 2023 00:00 NZST
MarkSetBot have appointed a Cowes-based company to support UK sailing clubs © MarkSetBot
American Robotic Mark Manufacturer 'MarkSetBot' have appointed Cowes based sports marketing company FourthCape to develop, support and deliver the MarkSetBot system in the UK. Acting as an extension of the MarkSetBot HQ, FourthCape will support clubs, classes, and race organisers to adopt robotic marks and RaceOS™ software for events and racing.
With unrivalled success over the last few years the 'MarkSetBot' has become the go to option worldwide for international race organisers such as SailGP, TP52 Super Series, RC44 class to name but a few.
"We're delighted to have found a like-minded, forward-thinking partner in the UK with FourthCape" mentioned MarkSetBot Co-Founder Matthew Morin "The FourthCape Team have the technical ability, knowledge, drive and contacts on the opposite side of the Atlantic to us, and we look forward to having them support our MarkSetBot users in this important marine market. Our full-time presence in the UK follows a successful outing at the RS Games in the summer of 2022, and we look forward to growing the digital racecourse with Charles and his team".
FourthCape MD Charles Darbyshire commented "I have worked on projects looking at digitising the sailing racecourse in the past, making the job of setting racecourses faster, easier and with more precision. The MarkSetBot team achieved amazing things, with great hardware, managed by a capable and fast evolving intuitive software platform - RaceOS™.
"Whilst the focus can be on the robotic marks themselves, the software is evolving to manage races using a mixture of fixed marks, laid anchored marks, and robotic marks. This allows clubs to integrate the digital racecourse into their current infrastructure as they expand their use of robotic marks over time. Ultimately the goal of the digital racecourse is to improve the quality of the racing for competitors, to increase accuracy, and reduce the time it takes to get courses set for a race committee."
"The involvement of FourthCape allows us to have a dedicated resource in the UK that can support race management teams across the country in getting access to the MarkSetBot hardware and software systems. We are also excited to leverage FourthCape's deep expertise in sailing-related technology as we map out our product roadmap." Matthew Morin MarkSetBot Co-Founder.
International Race Officer David Campbell-James: "After initially being sceptical of the possible improvement to race management, I was converted whilst working on the 49er course at the Hyères regatta last year - I was impressed at the simplicity of the control, the speed in which we were able to reset the course, and the accuracy of their position holding. This is the future of course setting, and great to have local representation here in the UK"
Pro-Sailors, who have grown up with 'the old way' think very highly of the systems - "I recently did a Club-Swan 50 event and they used really cool self-propelled, no anchor, GPS-controlled race marks - they were working in current and good breeze and waves, and it made for simple racecourse adjustments and far fewer people needed to run the races. If you are a starting-line perfectionist PRO this gives you free reign to move the mark up to about five minutes before the start and still allow people to ping the pin.
Fewer people. Fewer anchor lines. Fewer boats needed. Less fuel," says Ken Read, President, North Sails
Robotic Marks 'Bots' are available to lease, purchase or rent in the UK immediately,
with RaceOS digital course management coming later in 2023.
For more information and to find out about how your club can access MarkSetBots email the FourthCape Team:
MarkSetBot Key Facts:
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- Less People
- Less Fuel
- Quickly adjust racecourses
- Accurate Mark Setting
- No anchoring = no seabed damage
Robotic MarkSetBots hold their position to an assigned GPS coordinate and use the onboard hardware and sophisticated anchoring algorithm to enable the Bot to hold a stable position in the most extreme conditions. They have been tested in 30kts of wind and 3 meter seas. The Bots can also integrate key technologies, like wind instrumentation, AIS transponders, and horn systems to help automate additional aspects of the racecourse.
RaceOS™ is an application that assists in the operation and running of racing. The digitisation of the racecourse allows a fully autonomous system that can run races and set marks at the touch of a button, whilst other levels allow clubs to use the software in conjunction with their existing hardware such as fixed race marks to deliver racing.
A number of different Marks can be used with the RaceOS™ application. Robotic MarkSetBots, Anchored MarkSetBots [No motor], Traditional laid marks with trackers or Fixed [Permanent] Mark positioning.