Seakey Marine Tracking Device

A subsidiary of Volvo

SeaKey, a subsidiary of Volvo, is the first venture by MobiApps into the retail space of Marine Asset-Tracking Devices. While a start-up in the marine field, MobiApps brought with it a wealth of experience in designing and manufacturing asset-tracking devices for terrestrial applications. Their strategy had always been to target fleet owners directly, a successful approach that they decided to replicate when entering the marine market.

In the marine industry, tracking and securing vessels is a significant concern.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), 4,240 watercraft thefts were reported in the United States in 2019 alone.

Private boats, luxury yachts, and other vessels are at risk of being moved illegally from marinas, especially when left unattended. Additionally, these vessels face the danger of sinking, particularly when owners, who often live far from the ocean and use their boats primarily during vacations, struggle to monitor their boats’ status remotely.

To address these challenges, We designed and built an advanced asset-tracking device capable of being submerged underwater for up to 60 minutes at a depth of 30 feet—a true marine black box. This device tracks the location of the vessel and provides alerts to owners, ensuring that they can monitor their boats from anywhere in the world.

After initial research and strategic discussions, it became clear that there was a significant opportunity to target individual customers in the luxury boat market. These customers, while less concerned with the technical jargon, would greatly value a product that offered reassurance and quality.

Recognizing this, MobiApps tasked us to design a product that not only met stringent technical requirements but also possessed strong shelf appeal in marine hardware stores. The product was designed with new materials and finishes, ensuring it stood out in a competitive market.

Project Insights

Developing a device for the marine environment required meticulous attention to detail. The product had to withstand prolonged exposure to sea spray, high salt levels, submersion, and physical impact. Additionally, it needed to adhere to the American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standards for vibration, impact, ignition protection, water ingress, and salt spray corrosion.

Visibility Under Low Light Conditions

The device was designed in a vibrant Mickey Mouse yellow for high visibility. Initially, Ryton was considered, but due to its limited color options, a grade of Noryl was selected. Noryl could be made yellow while still meeting the physical requirements of the device.

Waterproofing

The device was engineered to effectively bleed gas (produced by the battery) out of the device while preventing water ingress, ensuring reliable performance even in harsh marine environments.

Ruggedness

Built to endure the shocks, impacts, and corrosion that come with the marine environment, the device is highly durable and resistant to various weather conditions.

Award-Winning Design

The SeaKey Marine Tracking Device’s innovative design and functionality were recognized with the prestigious CII-NID Design Excellence Award, underscoring its success in the market.

Key Tasks Accomplished

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Enclosure Design
Prototype Design
Materials Selection
Design for Manufacturing
Prototype Liaison
Postproduction support

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Immersive CX

Product Documentation

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Intelligent Sales

Micro Offshore Design

Managed Production

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21 day marketing

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