Volvo Ocean Race Boats Come Alive with Pilotfish Technology

by Lissie Green on 28 Jun 2001 Highly sophisticated race monitoring equipment developed by Pilotfish is now undergoing its trial run aboard all the boats in the Volvo Ocean Race.

Swedish telematics company Pilotfish, the official supplier of marine wireless gateways for the Volvo Ocean Race, has taught each boat to 'talk' and tell their own
story via the Internet, with the help of special sensors, computer technology and satellite relays. At the heart lies a small, specially designed computer, known as a
Wireless Gateway, which is installed on board each of the boats. This 'smart box' registers a wide range of conditions on board, collates the information and relays
it continuously to an audience of sailing enthusiasts around the world.

'With this new technology onboard all the boats, we will make the Volvo Ocean Race the most exciting experience ever for our audience around the world,' says
Helge Alten, Chief Executive of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Information reports are automatically beamed from each boat - every hour, day and night, in stormy as well as calm weather. This information consists of data such
as the boats current position, course, pitch, roll, heave, depth, average wind speed and direction. The most important race data - the boats' position and speed, are
relayed every ten minutes.

Once received at Race Headquarters in Southampton, UK, the full story is processed and posted on the official race Web site, www.VolvoOceanRace.org bringing
the smallest race details to the fingertips of a worldwide audience.

'The innovative solution is based on a system that we have been developing for two years. We are honoured that Volvo has entrusted us with this important
assignment and are confident that the racing fans will be pleased with the results,' says Mats Pegelow, Pilotfish's President.

According to Pegelow, the technology is extremely flexible and can be adapted to a wide range of applications, both for private persons and companies. 'We offer
wireless gateway solutions for remote monitoring, tracking, control and automation services for high value assets,' says Pegelow. 'We have several industrial
applications in the market. One provides remote monitoring and control of machinery and another gives freight companies continuous information on the location
and status of their containers and vehicles anywhere in the world.'

About Pilotfish
Pilotfish is a leading provider of end-to-end telematics solutions, providing systems to connect vehicles, industrial equipment and consumer appliances, to the
Internet and Wireless networks. Pilotfish business solutions range from fleet tracking and alarm services, to remote control and fault diagnostics of geographically
widespread industrial equipment. These solutions allow our customers to increase control of their assets while reducing costs and opening up new channels of
revenue. Pilotfish is owned by the Volvo group, Swedish IT consultancy company CR&T and the investment company Pythagoras. The company is based in
Gothenburg, Sweden, with offices in the UK.