Rolls-Royce Power Systems has developed a new bridge for yachts up to 50 metres in length. The design allows the bridge to be used as a saloon.
The new mtu NautIQ Bridge ‘Point Break’ concept was unveiled for the first time at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show. “Point Break” is designed to address the design challenge facing yacht designers and shipyards: reclaiming valuable space on board for owners and guests without compromising the captain’s working environment or safety standards and functionality.
According to Christian Paolini, Managing Director of Bridge and Automation Systems at Rolls-Royce Power Systems in Italy, customers are looking for ways to make the best use of space on board without compromising on safety or operational readiness. With Point Break, one of the yacht’s most space-intensive operational areas has been redesigned to meet customers’ changing expectations.
The result is a dual-purpose bridge concept: when the yacht is not underway, the wheelhouse opens up into the saloon, whilst remaining fully functional and ready for immediate use should the need arise.
According to Rolls-Royce, at the heart of the concept is a new bridge architecture featuring a next-generation human-machine interface (HMI), designed to make navigation more intuitive, efficient and user-friendly. A vertical arrangement of the displays is designed to optimise use of space and improve situational awareness, whilst a head-up display projects key navigation information directly into the captain’s field of vision.
When navigation is not in progress, the displays retract, creating an open space that can be used for other purposes on board. This approach enables designers and shipyards to rethink the interior layout and create greater flexibility without compromising operational readiness.
“With ‘Point Break’, Rolls-Royce once again underlines its commitment to helping shape the future of integrated bridge solutions through innovation, digitalisation and human-centred design. As part of the mtu NautIQ ecosystem, the concept reinforces the company’s ‘From Bridge to Propeller’ approach, in which propulsion, energy management and automation work hand in hand,” said Lukas Köhler, Senior Vice President Global Marine & Mining at Rolls-Royce Power Systems.
