Stentec presents SEMI-AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION for WinGPS 2026 and later:
TrackPilot technology for yachts and inland waterway vessels
you can turn your existing autopilot (mounted on your tiller or steering wheel) into a smart trackpilot.
With a single push of a button, you automatically follow:
- the extensive European route network or
the center of the waterway - a previously sailed route
- the route of another AIS vessel,
for example, a friend’s
Ideal with DKW charts and IENC (via the Stentec IENC update server).
The TrackPilot has proven itself in commercial shipping for years. Now it’s available for sailing and motor yachts, as well as for small commercial vessels.
Fewer rudder movements mean smoother sailing, a quieter ride, and fuel savings.
Want to take control yourself? With the push of a button, the TrackPilot takes over again.
The result? Greater comfort and lower fuel consumption.
in collaboration with the Maritime Academy Harlingen, an inland waterway skipper, and WinGPS users for beta testing. As part of the:
Veilige INLAND ECDIS TrackPilot-project (Safe INLAND ECDIS TrackPilot project).
This 3-year EFRO-0148 project is co-financed by the European Union and the Dutch government. The project duration is from Q2 2025 through Q1 2028.
The aim of the project is to develop, test, and demonstrate an innovative, safe track pilot for inland waterway shipping, as well as a derivative version for recreational boating.
The intended results are a working and tested prototype of the TrackPilot, and a report with recommendations that can serve as a basis for new safety regulations. In addition, the project lays the groundwork for future research into autonomous navigation, and the knowledge gained will be incorporated into skipper training.
For the TrackPilot project, Stentec, in collaboration with the Maritime Academy Harlingen (MAH), is developing a smart autopilot for inland waterway shipping and recreational boating. The system automatically follows the route while taking the environment into account, such as bridges and other obstacles.
A key component is a self-learning ship model, also known as a Digital Twin. This is a digital copy of the ship that mimics its behavior and continuously learns. As a result, the system continues to operate reliably even if the GPS or compass fails.
The TrackPilot system is being tested step by step: first in WinGPS using a simulator, then on the MAH’s inland waterway simulator, and finally aboard real ships, including a commercial inland waterway vessel.
