Avikus and Vision Marine to conduct feasibility testing of NEUBOAT with E-Motion electric propulsion

Avikus and Vision Marine to conduct feasibility testing of NEUBOAT with E-Motion electric propulsion © Avikus

Avikus, a marine technology company specializing in AI-powered docking and navigation solutions, have announced that it is working with Vision Marine Technologies Inc. to conduct feasibility testing of its NEUBOAT smart navigation and docking technology with Vision Marine's twin-motor E-Motion™ electric propulsion system.

The testing will use the STERK 31E as the initial validation platform and evaluate the technical feasibility of connecting NEUBOAT's perception, navigation and vessel-control capabilities with Vision Marine's electric propulsion, steering and helm-control systems. The planned evaluation will include key NEUBOAT capabilities such as object recognition, route planning, smart autopilot, adaptive cruise, collision-avoidance assistance and smart-docking assistance. Avikus' technology combines camera- and LiDAR-based perception, object-recognition hardware, vessel-control interfaces and an integrated user display.

By combining Vision Marine's twin E-Motion™ propulsion architecture with Avikus' intelligent-navigation capabilities, the companies intend to develop and validate interfaces connecting advanced perception and navigation functionality with propulsion, steering, helm controls and other vessel-control systems.

For Avikus, the project represents an opportunity to expand its existing vessel-integration experience into a new electric-propulsion architecture. By working closely with Vision Marine and STERK, Avikus expects to further refine its technical knowledge, integration processes and practical know-how for connecting NEUBOAT with different propulsion, steering and vessel-control systems. The experience gained through the STERK 31E feasibility testing is expected to strengthen Avikus' ability to adapt its technology more efficiently across additional boat models and propulsion configurations. If the feasibility testing is successful, Avikus expects the resulting technical foundation to support broader collaboration with boat OEMs and propulsion-system providers, including additional electric-propulsion applications as well as vessels powered by conventional gasoline engines.

"This project provides Avikus with an opportunity to expand our integration experience into a new propulsion architecture," said Sangwon Shin, Vice President of Recreational Marine at Avikus. "By working directly with Vision Marine and STERK, we can further refine the processes and technical know-how needed to adapt NEUBOAT efficiently to different vessel-control and propulsion systems. We expect the experience gained from this project to support future collaboration across both electric and conventional gasoline-powered platforms."

"E-Motion was designed to become more than an electric replacement for a conventional engine. Our objective is to build an integrated marine technology architecture connecting propulsion, controls, safety systems and increasingly intelligent digital functionality," said Alexandre Mongeon, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Vision Marine. "Working with Avikus brings specialized intelligent-navigation expertise from an HD Hyundai company to an operational twin E-Motion platform. The STERK 31E gives our teams a real-world platform to integrate and validate these technologies together, while developing knowledge that could support future OEM applications."

NEUBOAT is Avikus' intelligent navigation and docking platform for recreational boats. The system uses sensor-fusion technology to detect surrounding objects, provide real-time situational information and assist boaters with navigation and docking. NEUBOAT Dock provides enhanced visibility around the vessel, object detection and docking guidance, while NEUBOAT Navi with Control provides information about stationary and moving objects ahead and supports features including route planning, smart autopilot and collision-avoidance assistance.

Attendees of the 2026 International BoatBuilders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX) are expected to have the opportunity to experience NEUBOAT aboard two vessels: a vessel retrofitted with NEUBOAT and Vision Marine's STERK 31E electric boat. Together, the two on-water demonstrations will showcase how NEUBOAT can be applied through both retrofit installation and collaboration with boat and propulsion-system manufacturers.