The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today granted a patent application that details a remote control device for a marine vessel, a concept that Steve Jobs was originally credited the inventor of (via PatentlyApple).

The patent, titled "Remote motion control using a wireless mobile device", was filed in 2013 and has just been granted, now registered under Apple and Savant Systems. Savant is a manufacturer of luxury home automation systems and worked with Jobs on the late Apple co-founder's super yacht, named the Venus.

yacht patent 2
The patent describes a general-purpose device with a touchscreen, similar to an iPhone, which executes an application that remotely controls a vehicle (e.g. a marine vessel, such as a yacht).

The device communicates wirelessly with an interface linked to the vessel's electronic control system, which collects environmental and system status information like wind speed and water depth from a series of sensors.

yacht patent 1
The control system also transmits and receives signals to the vessel's subsystems, such as throttle controllers, transmission, and rudders, enabling it to maneuver the vehicle remotely over the wireless network.

The patent goes on to describe the application's packet delivery and user interface module, as well as a network health monitor that enables and disables functional control. The touchscreen displays status information for the vessel and shows which controls are engaged, among other subsystem data.

Jobs' super yacht was designed by Philippe Starck's design company Ubik and built by Headship. Jobs died in October 2011, while the yacht was unveiled a year later at a cost of more than $112 million.

Top Rated Comments

cube Avatar
113 months ago
Someone should patent a Patent Office process that actually works.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kajje Avatar
113 months ago
With non-patents like this, no wonder there are patent troll companies.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
2457282 Avatar
113 months ago
Well at least we now know what all that R&D has been going to at Apple. And you thought it was a car? :oops::rolleyes::D:p:eek::cool:;):)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
113 months ago
Remote control yacht?! That's amazing. :eek:

I certainly wouldn't trust myself with that kind of power. Think this, but with a boat:

Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BrentT Avatar
113 months ago
I'm going to have my butler install that for my yacht.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LordQ Avatar
113 months ago
Remote control yacht?! That's amazing. :eek:

I certainly wouldn't trust myself with that kind of power. Think this, but with a boat:

Grow up, 007.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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