This is SEA.AI
SEA.AI alerts you of any floating obstacle on your course – large and small – day and night.
The systems – formerly known as OSCAR – are designed to detect hazards at sea that cannot be detected by radars, AIS or sonar. SEA.AI computes input from lowlight and thermal on-board cameras to provide a digital understanding of the vessel’s surroundings on the water. The system’s artificial intelligence uses latest Machine Vision technology, best-in-class deep learning capabilities and an ever-growing proprietary database of millions of annotated marine objects.
SEA.AI detects and classifies objects, including those that escape conventional systems such as Radar or AIS: People overboard, unsignaled vehicles like jet skis, inflatable boats and kayaks, floating obstacles like tree trunks or containers, buoys, etc.
Managing Board
Raphael Biancale
Founder & CTO
The SEA.AI idea was born while sailing a challenging ocean passage. Poor visibility, especially at night, and the absence of driver assistance systems as in development for cars, sparked Raphael‘s idea to provide more convenience and safety for boaters by combining sensor technology with artificial intelligence.
Raphael started his career in R&D for automotive development companies AVL and Magna in the fields of intelligent car systems and automotive software.
Raphael has a background in engineering, having graduated from the Munich University of Applied Sciences with a Master in automotive engineering.
Marcus Warrelmann
CEO
Marcus Warrelmann is responsible for sales, marketing, finance, & human resources at SEA.AI.
Prior to his current role, Marcus Warrelmann was managing director of Flex Automotive GmbH and chief sales officer of Joyson Safety Systems.
In these management positions, he was able to realise high growth rates, while expanding strategic relationships and building up substantial new markets.
Made in Austria
The SEA.AI systems are made in Austria by SEA.AI GmbH and developed in partnership with its sister companies SEA.AI SAS – which is located right in the sailing Mecca of Port la Forêt in Brittany (France) – and SEA.AI Lda in Portugal.
The proximity to the ocean in France and the best offshore racers in the world, helped SEA.AI to subject itself to the strictest of all schools. Above all, to improve the safety and functionality of the SEA.AI system. Data collected from selected testusers is transferred to our development center in Lisbon (Portugal). There, the data is analysed, annotated if necessary and the algorithms improved, which ensures the continuous improvement of the systems performance and reliability.
"I once sailed from France to the Cap Verde Islands. I still remember today that at night I spent hours looking into the dark in the cold rain. Exciting and scary at first, over time it became tedious. I always felt a slight discomfort when descending into the cabin in the wide ocean, without really knowing what was ahead of the boat. Therefore, as an engineer in the automotive field, I started looking for a solution. A few years down the line, we now make up a team of 50 people. Together we made this concept of a smart co-pilot a reality. We're improving safety and comfort at sea, through the development of an awesome product at the forefront of technology."
A Brief History About SEA.AI
In 2017, the company received financial support from the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Austrian Public Investment Bank (AWS). After that, Raphael Biancale got in touch with Gaetan Gouerou, manager of the company Mer & Projets, co-founder of the CDK Technologies shipyard and General Delegate of the IMOCA class.
Convinced by the concept, Gaetan Gouerou decided to get involved. With his expertise and connections in the maritime domain, he helped immensely with meeting the expectations of our customers.
At the end of 2017, the skipper Jean Le Cam, convinced of the interest of such a system, volunteered to be the first user and assisted in the definition of the first specifications.
In early 2018, three winners of the Vendée Globe, Vincent Riou, François Gabart and Armel Le Cléac’h, agreed to provide their support and expertise to the project.
Many months of prototyping, testing and further prototyping and testing went into the development of the first system (first called OSCAR). As a result and with the help of the top race-teams and strong team members, to drive the project forward, the first SEA.AI system was born and raised.
2021 and Beyond
In 2021 the company wins Stephan Schambach and Christoph Ballin as investors. Stephan Schambach is one of Germany´s most successful IT entrepreneurs, an avid sailor and former lead investor behind e-motor pioneer Torqeedo.
“As soon as I understood what SEA.AI does for sailors, I wanted the system on my own boat. Sooner that anybody thinks, it will sit in every mast next to the radar antenna, and I think this project is on a straight course to worldwide success.”
Dr. Christoph Ballin joined the SEA.AI shareholder and management team in 2021 and was responsible for SEA.AI’s activities in Sales, Marketing, Service, Finance and HR until 2023.
Prior to his role at SEA.AI, Christoph was Co-Founder and long term CEO for Torqeedo, the leader in electric mobility on the water. Under his leadership, Torqeedo pioneered ground breaking innovations and established electric propulsion in the marine industry.
After Marcus Warrelmann was announced as CEO, with company founder Raphael Biancale taking on the role of CTO. Dr. Christoph Ballin is to remain on the company’s advisory board as a shareholder.
"The SEA.AI team has done a great job in developing the technology and the current generation of products. With the new funding and a reinforced team, we look forward to taking SEA.AI to the next level in its development. ”
In 2021 SEA.AI launched its first system designed for motor vessels and promptly convinced the jury of the IBEX Innovation Award, winning the safety equipment category in 2021.
Our Offices
SEA.AI GmbH
Siemensstrasse 60
4030 Linz
AUSTRIA
SEA.AI GmbH
Taborstrasse 20
1020 Vienna
AUSTRIA
SEA.AI SAS
Port La Forêt
29940 La Forêt Fouesnant
FRANCE
SEA.AI Lda
Rua António Champalimaud Lote 1, Piso 1, Sala 1.13B, 1600-514 Lisbon
PORTUGAL
SEA.AI Inc.
407 Lincoln Road, Suite 10 F
Miami Beach, FL 33139
USA
