By Tahar Brouri, NavImpulse
The problem with existing autopilots
Most tiller pilots on the market were designed around the constraints of the past. Proprietary displays. Complex wiring. Settings that only a technician can navigate without a manual in hand.
The assumption baked into these systems is that your boat’s electronics are the smartest thing in the cockpit. But that hasn’t been true for years. Your smartphone already carries more processing power than any dedicated marine display. Your wrist already runs a capable computer. Your boat already has a GPS. Why not use them?
A different starting point
NavImpulse starts from a different premise: use what you already have.
The core of the system is the NavImpulse control unit, combining the autopilot brain, a 9-axis IMU, and a built-in motor controller into a single compact device. It is fully autonomous when maintaining course in Heading mode. Through a wireless Bluetooth Low Energy connection, it pairs with your Android device where the Android app unlocks advanced capabilities: wind and waypoint modes, offline voice control, and man-overboard detection. Say goodbye to proprietary displays and complex wiring.
Your Garmin smartwatch connects to the Android app to take control of your tiller pilot from anywhere on deck.
Power up. Plug in your actuator. Sail.
Built on real sailing
The NavImpulse system was developed and tested on the water. Every feature exists because it solved a real problem encountered during real passages.
The MOB detection system, for example, monitors the Garmin watch connection in real time. If the watch disconnects unexpectedly, the system triggers an alarm, logs the GPS coordinates, and can automatically turn the boat head-to-wind. That feature didn’t come from a marketing product brief. It came from thinking clearly about what actually happens when someone goes overboard on a short-handed boat.
Our offline voice recognition brings hands-free control exactly when you need it most. Initiating a tack while keeping both hands on the sheets and your eyes on the horizon is a major safety upgrade, allowing for flawless, stress-free maneuvers when sailing short-handed.
CE certified and made in France
Every NavImpulse unit is CE certified and backed by a 2-year warranty. The tiller drive carries an IP65 rating — built for the marine environment from the ground up.
NavImpulse is a small, focused team. Every order matters. Every customer gets a real answer. Every piece of feedback shapes the next version.
Ready to experience smart, hands-free sailing?