AZIMUT|BENETTI GROUP RAISES THE BAR IN MARITIME SAFETY

Azimut|Benetti Group’s R&D Department and marine-tech innovator WATCHIT have developed WATCHIT Eye, the first AI-based collision prevention system for yachting, detecting obstacles from floating objects to vessels and underwater hazards.

Born as an evolution of the first-generation WATCHIT system, inspired by an intuition from the Group’s R&D department, the “Eye” version leverages an AI engine to identify and prioritize real, actionable risks. It integrates data from multiple onboard sensors with a dedicated, custom-developed 4D Imaging Radar, alerting the captain only when detected obstacles present a genuine risk of collision.

WATCHIT Eye is not simply an exercise in innovation. It is a journey of shared technological choices, testing, validation, and real-world applications, a promising technology that is already on board the Group’s new models and available for installation across the fleet. The first yacht to boast this innovative technology is the Azimut Fly 82, which made her world debut at the 2025 Cannes Yachting Festival and was then displayed at the Genoa International Boat Show, along with the Seadeck 7 Hybrid, the yacht that embodies the cutting edge of the innovations developed by the Shipyard and the Group’s R&D Department.

Designed specifically for the recreational boating sector, where collisions and groundings are among the main critical issues, WATCHIT Eye marks a paradigm shift in risk management at sea, focusing on alert timing – rather than the distance from an obstacle – and providing the right amount of advance warning to best support the captain. This approach gives the captain ample time to respond to obstacles such as vessels, tenders, ribs and also small objects like kayaks, marking buoys or floating obstacles, but also yacht grounding risks, enhancing safety and significantly reducing the risk of accidents.

Following the first generation of the WATCHIT system, the “Eye” version developed together with Azimut|Benetti Group uses the AI engine to filter real and manageable risks, combining data from various onboard sensors together with a dedicated and custom developed 4D Imaging Radar and alerting the captain only when the detected obstacles pose a genuine risk of collision.

The AI engine underlying this system operates on multiple levels. First, it is designed to emulate the decision-making process of an experienced captain, acting as a co-pilot who performs real-time risk assessments.  Furthermore, it enables continuous data collection in the cloud and immediate analysis, and recognizes different navigation modes, adapting the risk warning system to the context: port manoeuvres, open sea cruising, or navigating through congested waters. Thanks to this information integration, the system is able to identify threats from every direction and generate timely alerts that allow for high levels of concentration and rapid decision-making, simplifying navigation. 

In addition, the High Frequency 4D Imaging Radar, compared to average marine radars and cameras, provides excellent short-range detection, precise tracking and target recognition not affected by fog, rain or darkness, with the best ratio of cost to performance.

With WATCHIT Eye, Azimut|Benetti Group and WATCHIT offer all owners a revolutionary solution that once again confirms the Group’s leading role in innovation and reinforces WATCHIT’s pioneering role as a new global benchmark in marine safety.

Visit WATCHT website for more information: https://eye.watchit.ai/