The company behind the sailing’s first robotic marker is launching a new tool that promises to be a “game changer” for race management.

RaceOS by MarkSetBot aims to simplify the process of running a sailing race by bringing “elite-level race technology” to club racecourses.

The system pairs MarkSetBots with tracking sensors, a horn system and a wind instrument to self-set and run all aspects of the race, from signals and OCS detection to course changes to scoring.

“This is incredible technology,” said Russell Coutts, CEO of SailGP. “It will go a long way towards making our sport environmentally friendly by using less race officials and race committee vessels. It should also eliminate unnecessary general recalls, disqualifications, and speed up race operations.

“It will result in fairer, more accurate racing for all competitors at less expense and will be a total game changer for sailing.”

Yachts and Yachting has more on the story HERE.

US Sailing has partnered with the company behind the sport’s first robotic marker to help get America’s sailing community back on the water.

Afloat.ie previously reported on the MarkSetBot, an invention by US sailor Kevin Morin that essentially combines a standard race marker with a trolling motor and GPS receiver, allowing it to be set remotely by computer or mobile device.

“The MarkSetBot inherently allows for social distancing,” says the company behind the pioneering product, which also boosts its environmental credentials — eliminating the need for boats to tow out race markers.

MarkSetBot is now offering US Sailing member clubs a 33% discount on a three-month lease for three marker bots. For more about the MarkSetBot robotic marker, see HERE.

#MarkSetBot - A robot buoy could change forever the way yacht clubs mark their racing courses.

That’s the promise of MarkSetBot, an invention by US sailor Kevin Morin which adapts two already existing technologies for a whole new purpose, as Sailing World reports.

MarkSetBot is essentially a standard race marker fitted with a GPS receiver and a trolling motor of the kind found on fishing boats.

By inputting co-ordinates via the cellular network — as simple as picking a point on a map — the MarkSetBot uses its motor to move into, and more importantly stay in the chosen position.

Testing in winds up to 17 knots and one-metre waves has shown the device capable of holding its position within a five-foot radius without the need for an anchor, according to Morin.

That’s impressive enough, but the bigger news for yacht clubs is that changing a course layout — to compensate for shifting winds, for example — could be as simple a matter as tapping a few points on a screen and watching the markers move themselves into place.

Sailing World has much more on the story HERE.