WindTracX is a company focused on providing wind-assisted propulsion systems for the maritime industry. Our systems use wind power to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions in shipping.

The Aero Kite-Drone uses a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone with a rigid box-wing design to capture wind energy efficiently. It is fully autonomous and requires minimal human intervention.

Our systems offer significant fuel savings (10-40% per year), increased traction efficiency, and reduced CO2 emissions, making maritime transport more sustainable and cost-effective.

Yes, WindTracX systems are designed for minimal maintenance. The advanced materials and robust design ensure long-lasting performance with reduced wear and tear, unlike traditional kite-based systems.

The connection cable is made from Dyneema, a lightweight and weather-resistant material that ensures optimal aerodynamic efficiency and durability in harsh maritime conditions.

Yes, our systems are highly adaptable and can be retrofitted onto existing vessels, enabling shipping companies to integrate wind-assisted propulsion without needing newbuilds.

The system is built around full redundancy. It operates with eight motors and propellers and eight independent control surfaces. If one motor or one actuator fails, the remaining components compensate and the drone continues flying normally. Every component is equipped with feedback sensors that monitor system health in real time. If a failure is detected, an emergency procedure triggers automatically and the drone performs a safe landing without any crew intervention.

No. The system is fully autonomous. The crew’s role is limited to starting and stopping it. No manual flying is required, and no specialized training is needed to operate the system. The crew plots the desired sailing route on a screen, and the vessel’s autopilot shares that navigational data with the WindtracX system. The drone plans its own optimal flight path based on wind direction, vessel heading, and surrounding conditions.

There is no manual override for flight control. If the autopilot experiences a failure, the system immediately initiates an emergency landing sequence. The drone is designed so that in any abnormal scenario, the default response is always a controlled, autonomous return to the vessel.

The system uses extensive onboard sensors to continuously monitor wind direction, vessel heading, and coastline geometry. Based on this data, the drone calculates and adjusts its own optimal flight path relative to the wind in real time. The crew does not need to manage the flight trajectory, they simply set the sailing route, and the WindtracX system adapts accordingly.

The complete system, including the drone and the base station, weighs between 150 and 200 kg depending on the version. The only significant load comes from the traction generated by the kite during flight. Importantly, the kite’s pull acts upward at an angle of 15 to 30 degrees, which means it generates almost no heeling moment. Even in strong wind conditions, the system will not cause the yacht to tilt.

The winch is attached to the remaining structure of the original mast, in cases where the yacht was previously fitted with one. If the yacht never had a mast, an additional reinforcement must be designed and installed as a retrofit. Because the traction force is directed upward rather than sideways, the structural loads on the mounting point are manageable and do not require heavy modifications to the vessel.

Yes. The drone is designed to take off and land in conditions up to Beaufort 8. Because it is an active system with its own propulsion, it does not depend on stable wind conditions to launch or recover safely. If conditions become too severe for productive flight, the system initiates an automatic landing and secures itself on deck.