Team Italia and Rolls-Royce join forces on yacht's bridge systems

-Co-operation partners develop integrated bridge solutions available from 2020 for series and mega yachts.

-MTU SmartBridge brings together automation, navigation, communication and digital functions

The Rolls-Royce Power Systems business unit and yacht bridge specialist Team Italia are joining forces. Their new strategic alliance was sealed at the Yachting Festival in Cannes and will see Rolls-Royce adding an integrated bridge system – MTU SmartBridge – to its MTU portfolio of products and solutions for yachts. Their jointly developed bridge solution will be available from 2020 for series and mega yachts.

Knut Müller, head of marine and governmental business in the Power Systems division of Rolls-Royce said: “The MTU SmartBridge is a significant piece of progress in terms of our evolution from a straightforward engine maker to an integrated systems provider. Our customers benefit because we supply them with a complete solution from one source”.

Massimo Minnella, Team Italia chief explained: “We’re delighted at the opportunity to work with Rolls-Royce and join forces with them in driving future technologies. We already know from previous collaborations that our products complement each other perfectly and that quality and innovation are priorities we share.”

The modular concept behind the new bridge solution is particularly advantageous for series yachts which can be tailored to individual customer requirements. MTU SmartBridge integrates all essential vessel control, monitoring and navigation sub-systems, wherever they are on board, into a single platform. Its functionalities therefore embrace not only the propulsion system, but vessel automation, power management, navigation and communication. By providing all relevant information to the captain in a single place, the new bridge solution enhances both user-friendliness and operational reliability.

Various digital functions are also embedded into MTU SmartBridge – display of documentation at the push of a button, the transfer of engine and system data using the MTUGo! platform, and access to global MTU service. Because they are linked up to data loggers, the propulsion system can be remotely monitored, allowing maintenance and spare parts requirements to be planned in advance and operating data analyzed. “By using this technology to improve vessel availability, we’re delivering a whole new experience to the customer,” emphasized Knut Müller.