Direct command
Thrust magnitude and direction presented through an operator interface aligned with the manoeuvre.
Port operations
Detachable thrust for berthing and confined manoeuvres.
Towbot is designed to give bridge teams and pilots directly commanded thrust at the assisted vessel—without a towing line for the selected operation.
The operational case
Shorten the time between command and force.
A hull-attached manoeuvring unit can change thrust direction quickly, reduce towline handling and support precise low-speed control.
- Berthing and unberthing
- Locks and narrow waterways
- Terminal shifts and short moves
- Additional thrust during constrained manoeuvres
- Selected tug-assist substitution or supplementation
Project questions
Is the vessel interface compatible? Where should thrust be applied? What is the wind, current and interaction load? How is the Towbot launched, recovered and charged? Who has command authority? These questions define the configuration and operating envelope.
Control philosophy
Automation with accountable human authority.
Towbot supports supervised remote and autonomous-assisted functions, with operator override, emergency stop and loss-of-link behaviour designed into the control case.
Situational awareness
Camera, lighting, sensor, position and system-health information available to the designated operator.
Safe states
Authenticated control, restricted access, logged events and deterministic behaviour under defined faults.
Take the next step
Discuss your port manoeuvre.
Describe the berthing, unberthing or confined-water move and the assistance currently used.
Request an application assessment ↗