Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) has started evaluation trials of its new integrated electric propulsion unit and steering control system HARMO at Hokkaido based Otaru Canal Cruise.
HARMO is a “next-generation control system platform” consisting of a propulsion unit powered by an electric motor, a remote-control box, and a joystick that enables more intuitive operation. Yamaha Motor is aiming to provide a smart package boat that gives passengers more comfort due to the quietness unique to electric based motors. To this end, the company will conduct evaluation trials on boats equipped with the HARMO at the Otaru Canal Cruise.
At first glance, the Harmo propulsion unit looks like a regular outboard motor – one section protrudes horizontally out from the back of the watercraft, while the other points vertically down from that top section, into the water.
Unlike the case with a traditional outboard, though, the entire thing doesn’t swivel from side to side. Instead, only the vertical section does, pivoting almost 90 degrees relative to the top. Yamaha states that this setup allows for greater maneuverability, including on-the-spot turning.
At the bottom – and under the water – is the combined propeller/motor unit. It incorporates a Drive By Rim motor, in which a ring of sequentially-activated electromagnets surrounding the steel propeller are used to spin it in either direction. This technology reportedly allows for more thrust to be generated at lower prop speeds, resulting in fewer vibrations and less noise.