Brunswick bets on AI docking and Textron defense deal to lift boat sales
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Brunswick CEO David Foulkes is positioning the world's largest recreational boat company for growth through autonomy, artificial intelligence, and defense, including an unmanned military vessel built with Textron. The company showcased its Auto Captain self-docking system and a Textron-partnered unmanned surface vessel at a press event in Brooklyn Bridge Marina. The push comes as Brunswick navigates a soft new-boat market.
Key Facts
- Brunswick has sold about 20 unmanned surface vessels to the U.S. Navy through its partnership with Textron.
- Auto Captain is a factory-fit auto-docking system that cannot be retrofitted to existing boats.
- Brunswick's Auto Captain uses AI for computer vision and machine learning, employing a neural net approach rather than large language models.
- Brunswick supplies Mercury engines, Boston Whaler hulls, Simrad radar, and control systems for the Textron-developed unmanned surface vessel.
- CEO David Foulkes expects Auto Captain to become a resale must-have, saying boats without it might be tough to resell.
Auto Captain Technology
Brunswick's Auto Captain system allows a boat to dock itself with the press of a button. CEO David Foulkes compared its adoption curve to joystick controls, which are now near-standard on the company's larger boats. The system is factory-fit and requires extensive calibration, so it cannot be added to boats after purchase. Foulkes said Auto Captain helps sell boats and predicted it will become essential for resale value.
Defense Partnership with Textron
Brunswick and Textron have developed an unmanned surface vessel, or USV, for military use. Brunswick provides Mercury engines, Boston Whaler hulls, Simrad radar, and control systems for the USV. Textron supplies the secure communications and autonomy system for the vessel. The company has sold about 20 of the boats to the U.S. Navy so far. Foulkes said the defense business is ramping up and sees potential uses in oil and gas support and aquaculture.
AI Integration Across Brunswick
Brunswick is using AI across its software development, customer service, and supply chain operations. The company's customer apps include an AI agent that ingests every system manual, allowing owners to query it instead of reading the manual. Auto Captain's AI relies on computer vision and machine learning with a neural net approach, distinct from large language models.
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Brunswick bets on AI docking and Textron defense deal to lift boat sales
