Vision and South Korea's Avikus Plan to Integrate NEUBOAT

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 19, Vision Marine Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: VMAR; TSXV: VMAR) announced a technology partnership with Avikus Co., Ltd., an HD Hyundai subsidiary specializing in intelligent navigation and operational assistance technologies. The two companies will evaluate integrating Avikus's NEUBOAT features into Vision Marine's dual-motor E-Motion™ propulsion architecture.

The STERK 31E was selected as the first validation platform. The project aims to establish an integration framework connecting intelligent navigation, vessel control, and Vision Marine's high-voltage electric propulsion technology. This collaboration is part of Vision Marine's strategy to expand E-Motion™ from a pure electric propulsion solution into a broader integrated marine technology architecture covering propulsion, steering, helm control, safety systems, and intelligent navigation.

Subject to successful integration and validation, the planned NEUBOAT features include object recognition, route planning, intelligent autopilot, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance assistance, and automatic docking assistance. Avikus's technology employs camera- and LiDAR-based perception solutions, complemented by object recognition hardware, vessel control interfaces, and integrated user displays.

Under the collaboration arrangement, Avikus has provided initial NEUBOAT operational assistance and automatic docking systems for integration and validation on the STERK 31E, with its engineering team providing technical support. The two companies' engineering teams are working jointly; Vision Marine's engineers have completed substantial vessel-side engineering, system interface development, and integration work involving the STERK 31E, the dual E-Motion™ propulsion architecture, helm control, and steering systems. The parties are proceeding on a non-exclusive basis without a formal written agreement or binding commitment, with the goal of continuing beyond the initial integration and IBEX demonstration phase.

The two companies are developing and validating an integration approach designed to make Avikus's technology an optional integrated solution for other compatible dual-motor vessel customers. For future customer orders, Vision Marine will procure applicable Avikus systems for integration, and each company may commercialize its respective technology. Any future products remain subject to vessel compatibility, customer demand, and commercial arrangements for future orders. The current phase is part of Vision Marine's ongoing technology development activities, focused on accumulating engineering and validation knowledge, and is not expected to have a material impact on the company's current operations or financial condition.

Vision Marine believes that the convergence of propulsion, digital control, perception, and intelligent navigation creates opportunities for electric propulsion systems to be more deeply integrated into the overall vessel architecture. By combining Vision Marine's dual E-Motion™ propulsion architecture with Avikus's intelligent navigation capabilities, the two companies aim to develop and validate interfaces connecting advanced perception and navigation functions with propulsion, steering, helm control, and other vessel control systems.

The existing dual-motor architecture provides both parties with a real-world platform to develop, calibrate, and validate system architecture, control communications, and interfaces among the NEUBOAT system, helm control, steering, and the dual E-Motion™ outboards. The project is expected to proceed in three phases: system interface, dock commissioning, and on-water validation.

Depending on development progress and integration success, the two companies plan to showcase the project at the 2026 International Boat Builders' Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), to be held October 6–8, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. IBEX is a trade-only marine industry technical event bringing together boat builders, engineers, designers, marine manufacturers, and technology providers. The two companies intend to use this industry occasion to demonstrate the combination of NEUBOAT operational assistance capabilities with the dual E-Motion™ electric propulsion architecture, marking it as a milestone within an open partnership planned to continue beyond the event.

Alexandre Mongeon, CEO and co-founder of Vision Marine, stated that E-Motion™ was designed not merely to replace traditional engines but to build an integrated marine technology architecture connecting propulsion, control, safety systems, and increasingly intelligent digital features. Partnering with Avikus brings the intelligent navigation expertise of an HD Hyundai company onto an operational dual E-Motion™ platform. The STERK 31E provides both teams with a real-world platform to jointly integrate and validate these technologies while accumulating knowledge applicable to future OEM applications.

If successfully completed, the project will provide Vision Marine with engineering and operational knowledge supporting its positioning of E-Motion™ as an integrable propulsion architecture for increasingly connected and intelligent vessel control systems. NEUBOAT Control is a Level 2 operational assistance system; qualified vessel operators must remain at the helm position at all times and remain responsible for navigation and vessel operation.

Avikus Co., Ltd., an HD Hyundai subsidiary, is dedicated to developing intelligent navigation and operational assistance technologies for commercial and recreational vessels. Its NEUBOAT product line for recreational vessels combines AI-based perception, intelligent navigation, situational awareness, and operational assistance features designed to support more intuitive vessel operation.

Vision Marine Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: VMAR; TSXV: VMAR) is a marine technology company and a vertically integrated recreational marine platform spanning both electric and internal combustion segments. Through its proprietary E-Motion™ high-voltage electric propulsion technology and its Nautical Ventures multi-brand retail, marina, and service network, the company combines marine engineering, direct-to-consumer channels, OEM relationships, service infrastructure, and customer support capabilities.