on 17 Feb 2023
The group's Foiler vessel can 'fly' 1.5 metres above the water for a comfortable ride
Enata foiler. Image: Guillaume Plisson
UAE-based maritime manufacturing group Enata has revealed details of several new projects and partnerships for 2023, including plans for a ‘flying’ car, due for launch this year.
The group is best-known for producing the futuristic Foiler vessel, which can lift above the water by 1.5 metres. The craft can operate in its conventional ‘Archimedean’ mode or, at 12 knots, take off in ‘flight’ mode, at which point quad foils lift the hull from the water for a supremely comfortable ride with supercar-like handling.
The foiling dayboat may be advanced in its design and build, but the builder says it does not require advanced piloting skills thanks to the control systems. Called Wingman, the original implementation helped reduce the overall weight of the Foiler by 200kg, at the same time turning it into a ‘smart yacht’.
The recently upgraded Wingman Gen 2 control system is twice as powerful as the original and allows for more smart functionality, including the ability to monitor and control some aspects of the Foiler through the user’s mobile phone.
Monitoring and analysing data from more than 250 data points on the Foiler, Wingman Gen 2 gives owners even more control over aspects such as fuel consumption and enabling preventative maintenance, while an internet connection will unlock diagnostic data sharing with Enata HQ as well as over-the-air system updates designed to ensure the Foiler is continually improving and benefits from the latest features and optimisations.
The system has been designed not only with new-builds in mind but also as a retrofit option for existing boats, both foiling and non-foiling, and is also used on Enata’s drones.
“The Foiler represents a unique and unparalleled step towards a future of boating, and the evolution of the Wingman control system highlights the technical skill that resides with Enata,” says Alois Vieujot, director of Enata.
“It opens up possibilities for new and existing owners alike, and demonstrates our commitment to creating the most advanced and efficient yachting experience, from maintenance to magical moments on the water.”
In addition to its marine division, Enata has developed a reputation for its Aerospace operation, which designs and builds remote control aircraft and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). That expertise has led to a new partnership with electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) specialist Bellwether Industries for the development of Bellwether’s eVTOL flying car.
Oryx
The company recently previewed its third-generation design, Model Oryx, a sleek eVTOL model that comes in just slightly larger than an SUV car and can carry a pilot and two passengers (with a four-passenger version planned for the future).
With Enata’s vectoring system, Oryx would be able to cruise at 140km/h, which would allow a journey from London’s Heathrow Airport to the Canary Wharf financial district in just eight minutes, compared to a typical journey time by the road of 50 minutes to an hour and a half.
Oryx is scheduled to debut in 2023 and will take off for the first time in Dubai.