(CHESAPEAKE, Va.) Aug. 1, 2013 – Volvo Penta unveils its new Glass Cockpit System, which provides centralized control and monitoring of the boat’s engines and drives, integrated with navigation, steering and alarm systems.
The new Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit System is an all-integrated control and monitoring system that gathers all driver information – including warnings and alarms – and displays it on one or more, high-tech displays. It enables a common, ergonomic design – and interface – for the whole dashboard, with push-buttons on the controls and touch-buttons on the screens.
“The Volvo Penta Glass Cockpit gives the boat operator a similar experience to driving a modern automobile,” said Marcia Kull, Vice President, Marine Sales North America, Volvo Penta of the Americas. “The driver environment in cars is similar regardless of the car brand. A driver pushes a button with confidence that it all will work. In the boating world, it has not been quite as easy – until now. With the launch of the new Glass Cockpit System, Volvo Penta is fundamentally changing the design of the boat driver’s environment.”
“The result is a greatly enhanced overview and control of both navigation and engine, all in one place,” said Kull. “It also provides a cleaner dashboard, which makes it easier for the driver to concentrate on what’s important at the moment.”
Flexible Displays
The displays are easy and intuitive to handle, with touch and pinch-to-zoom functionality. The driver decides what functions should be displayed on the screens and how they should be distributed. Depending on boat type and size, one or more displays can be mounted on the dashboard. The screens are available in different sizes from 8 to 19”.
Fully Integrated with the EVC
The Glass Cockpit System is fully integrated with the Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Control (EVC). That means that all Volvo Penta easy boating options such as dynamic positioning system, interceptors and autopilot can be monitored and controlled through the displays.
When the boat is powered up, all screens light up simultaneously, in a car-like manner. All settings that are made, including instrument dimming, are carried out concurrently at the helm and the fly bridge.
Auto Guidance
The unique Auto Guidance function is one example of the many extremely useful features in the Glass Cockpit System. By searching through all relevant nautical charts, it creates a route that guides the driver to avoid shallow water, buoys and other obstacles. Coupled with the Volvo Penta autopilot, Auto Guidance will not only show the way, it will actually take the boat there.
New Possibilities for Boat Builders
“In addition to the benefits for the boaters, the Glass Cockpit System opens up a new world of possibilities for boat builders to create exciting – but also logical, safe and ergonomic – dashboard designs,” said Kull. “And the boat owners will be able to drive the boat in a relaxed but safe manner and enjoy the ride – which is why they bought a boat in the first place. This capability is possible thanks to Volvo Penta’s boating knowledge and the Volvo Group’s experience with driver environment designs.”
A Cooperation with Garmin
The Glass Cockpit System is a result of cooperation between Volvo Penta and Garmin. “By combining the two companies’ expertise, Volvo Penta software and the new Garmin 8000 display series, Volvo Penta is now able to introduce this revolution in driver environment design,” said Kull.
More Information
Click here to learn more about the new Glass Cockpit System.
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Press release
Volvo Penta Introduces New Glass Cockpit Integrated Control and Monitoring System
2013-07-31
Volvo Penta unveils its new Glass Cockpit System, which provides centralized control and monitoring of the boat’s engines and drives, integrated with navigation, steering and alarm systems.
