13.6.2016
Buster Boats makes the smart touchscreen a standard feature
The large touch screen incorporates electronic charts, an on-board computer and an entertainment system into the motorboat as part of the standard equipment.
Buster is now including a smart display, which contains electronic navigation and integrates into the steering console, as a standard feature in almost all of its boat models. The infotainment system, named Buster Q, is presented to the user by means of a large touch screen that provides a wide range of features, including navigational charts, the entire instrument panel, operating manuals, instructional videos, weather forecasts, radio functionalities and an internet connection.
“Our aim is to make boating easier and safer for everyone”, says President of Buster Boats Juha Lehtola.
According to Lehtola, the goal was to create an easy-to-use, integrated device that eliminates the need to purchase a separate chart plotter or echo sounder, for example. Designing the user interface specifically for motorboats enabled Buster to leave out all unnecessary features and menus, and further enhance the user experience.
“We took inspiration from the automotive industry and tablet manufacturers and consolidated all the key features of the boat into a large, easy-to-use touch screen”, says Buster’s Product Development Director Anders Kurtén, who is in charge of Buster Q’s development.
The Buster Q is a standard feature in all models, starting from the five-metre Buster M. The size of the touch screen is 10 inches in smaller models, and in larger boats, starting from the Buster Magnum, the panel is an astounding 16 inches. For boaters this gives a variety of benefits, such as charts that are much larger than normal.
Standard features on Buster Q include an internet connection, C-Map electronic charts, Yamaha outboard engine gauges, local weather data and a Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be used to share the Buster Q’s network connection with other devices.
The Buster Q display can be supplemented with a sonar sensor, AIS, high-quality sound system and, in the future, a radar. The Buster Q system is compatible with the NMEA 2000 communications standard, which means that it is capable of flawless communication with boat electronics made by other manufacturers.
“The Buster Q brings the internet of things to boats. For instance, the device updates itself whenever a network connection is available, and we are constantly developing new features for the Buster Q”, Kurtén elaborates.
