Superyacht Control System Enhancement : A Design Framework and Control Concept for the Superyacht Segment

Sammanfattning

The superyacht segment places high demands on both functional performance and perceived quality. For the control systems, this means that they must not only allow for precise and reliable operation, but also communicate refinement, and premium value, while still being intuitive. This thesis was conducted in collaboration with Volvo Penta and explores how a design framework and conceptual control solution can be developed for the superyacht segment. The project was based on an iterative industrial design engineering process, combining contextual research, field studies, interviews, benchmarking, theoretical research, concept exploration, evaluation, and prototyping. The field studies were conducted on three vessels to understand how control systems are used in real operational situations. These studies showed that manual control interaction is most critical during departure, arrival, and manoeuvring in traffic, while operation in open water is managed through autopilot. The findings proved the importance of tactile feedback, clear control states, reduced visual dependency, and confidence during short but critical moments. Based on these insights, a design framework was created to guide the concept development. The framework combined user needs with theoretical perspectives on industrial design engineering, ergonomics, usability, haptics, emotional design, perceived quality, and quiet premium. It was then used to explore how Volvo Penta’s existing design language could be adapted into a premium control concept for the superyacht segment. The final result is a conceptual control solution that combines follow-up throttle adjustment with a rotary disc for rudder and autopilot. The concept aims to balance clarity, tactile feedback, refined interaction, and a restrained premium expression aligned with Volvo Penta’s design identity. While the concept is not a fully engineered product, it demonstrates how usability, haptics, perceived quality, and brand expression can be combined in the development of future vessel control systems.