Businessinsight
Videoworks and the
wearable tech revolution
Smartwatches,clothingand
glassesarenowavailablefor
superyachtowners.These
digitalsolutionschangethe
wayweinteractwithour
surroundingsforadiferent
experienceonboard
Juliet Benning reports
38 www.SUPERYACHTBUSINESS.NET | DECEMBER2014
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A
s the rising tide of intelligent
technology continues to
surge into the world, the
superyacht industry must
consider how its applications
can improve life onboard for
guests and crew. Forward thinking companies
investing in its development will reap the
benefts of market share, whilst those
resistant to change will trail in their wake
businesses need to have a game plan in place
to act on the competitive opportunity, while
If Google Glass becomes a popular request
among its clients, Videoworks will begin installing
the software it developed for Glass on a larger scale
taking note of the challenges and pit falls.
The potential for future growth in the
wearable technology market is massive. The
market was valued to be $6.3 million in 2010,
$5.1 billion in 2014, and by 2018 is predicted
to surpass $12.6 billion*. Wearable technology
has undoubtedly become the buzz phrase of
the year as companies such as Google, Pebble,
Apple and Motorola jostle for consumer
attention, each with their own shiny
all-singing all-dancing offerings.
Smart watches, clothing, jewellery and
glasses will be shaping our lives to come,
revolutionising the way we interact with our
surroundings and consequently posing serious
questions as to how we can protect our
privacy and security.
While wearables are still a long way from
overtaking smartphones, the market is
expected to grow at a rapid rate over the next
few years. So far health and ftness apps have
proved the most palatable for the average
consumer, taking up a 61% chunk of the
wearable tech market.*
But how will wearable technology impact
life onboard a superyacht and when will the
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industry start to feel the heat of change? One
superyacht company at the vanguard of the
wearable revolution is the Italian AV and
electronics expert, Videoworks.
Beneft for the crew
We have been developing software for Google
Glass since the concept was frst launched
explains Videoworks communication and
marketing manager Sara Stimilli. Although
the product has only been available for
customers in the US and UK we were able to
get a friend in the US to buy it and send it
over to the offce in Italy. Since then we have
studied how it can work for us.
For anyone who has been living under a
rock for the past 12-months and is unaware,
Google Glass is a wearable optical head-
mounted display (OHMD) computer, which
Google has developed with the mission of
producing a mass-market ubiquitous
computer. The product has been available for
interested parties, so called Glass Explorers,
since early 2013, but at the time of writing is
still not stocked on store shelves.
Analysis from the technical team at
Ancona-based Videoworks quickly came to the
P038_SB_dec_BusinessInsight_google_MG_JB.indd 2
Videoworks wearable technology
Videoworks staff demonstrating Google
Glass and Moto 360
conclusion that Google Glass would not be
suitable for guests due to the relaxed nature of
their break onboard and the discomfort that
can come from the eye movements needed to
see the small mirror screen. But we quickly
found that Google Glass could work well for
the crew reveals Stimilli.
The most immediately noticeable quality
about Google Glass is that it is hands free so
we thought about how this could beneft the
crew says Stimilli. At the moment the chef is
the crewmember who would be at most
advantage from using Glass by being able to
receive guests orders via the Videoworks
specialised MyConcierge app. Seeing this
information in their Glass the chef will be able
to continue chopping and preparing food
uninterrupted. Videoworks anticipates that
other uses for the Glass would be for crew to
control music, both personal and in the crew
mess or galley, or to be able to easily access
manuals wherever they are on the yacht.
Mostly Glass would be used by interior crew
for controlling lights, AV systems and blinds.
Videoworks used its close connection to
the CRN and ISA shipyards in order to gauge a
reaction from crew who experienced Google
Glass at this years Monaco Yacht Show. We
received positive feedback from the crew who
were all very enthusiastic about being able to
try something new, explains Stimilli. The
company plans to take the Glass concept out
to shipyards in Viareggio to further
investigate the reactions of the captains and
crew of its core shipyard client base.
If Google Glass proves to be a popular
request among its clients, Videoworks will
begin installing the software it has developed
for Glass on a larger scale. The company
expects that it will be able to launch its
Google Glass offering at next years Monaco
Yacht Show, which it hopes will be ahead of
any competitors. As far as I know we are the
only superyacht AV company looking to offer
wearable technology options in the near
future. Stimilli divulges.
But Google Glass isnt the only piece of
wearable technology Videoworks will offer.
Having already acquired a Moto 360 smart
watch, the company is eagerly anticipating
the launch of the Apple Watch, which it will
adapt for owner use.
In my opinion the watch will be more
popular than Google Glass Stimilli predicts.
Videoworks will use its representative in the
US to buy the watch and send it back to Italy
where it will be studied in preparation for
launch to the superyacht market. The watch
will be aimed at owners. The design is much
DECEMBER 2014
more appealing and discreet than that of the
Glass. We anticipate that owners will be able
to use the watch for all kinds of functions
such as choosing music, calling crew and even
checking the CCTV Stimilli adds.
Looking ahead
If Videoworks is the frst superyacht industry
entertainment solutions provider to plan for
the wearable future others will follow. Were
at day zero for wearables, similar to 2007 for
the iPhone, and at the moment the technology
is unrefned and pricey. Before wearables really
take off, developers will have to establish how
they can perform seamlessly alongside
smartphones, which will remain ubiquitous,
as well as how they will be able to
communicate with other household utilities.
Wearable technology also represents an
entirely new way for innovative marketeers to
reach potential customers but they must be
prepared to create prototype apps for endless
experimentation.
The US real estate company, Trulia, has
already created a prototype application that
allows users to experience house hunting
through Google Glass. Users are notifed when
near to a property that fts their search criteria,
can view the listing through Glass and contact
an agent if they need more information. This
could be the kind of application brokerage
companies should consider in future.
Wearable tech applications need to integrate
experience and create convenience, and as the
interconnected world of smart devices grows,
theres no reason why the superyacht industry
shouldnt be poised to exploit it.
* Head Tech
* ABI Research
FUTURE
applications
The future of wearable technology
onboard:
w Using watch or Glass to see CCTV
w Crew call
w Food/ drinks order
w Lighting/ blinds/ temperature/ music
control
w Guest gaming becomes more visually
and physically engaging than ever before
w Crew are aware of guest location for
safety
w Easy access to manuals
w Crew control of domestic appliances
w Jewellery, such as a ring, to unlock doors
or operational devices onboard
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