Vessel Sensor Interface Module Integrates Voice Commands with Cloud Storage and Analytics Services
BROOKINGS, Ore. (PRWEB) May 25, 2018 -- Chetco Digital Instruments enhanced its SeaGauge™ product line by adding integration with voice services offered by Amazon’s echo devices which allow users to ask Alexa about their boat status. The new built-in voice service runs on the Company’s HelmSmart cloud platform which accepts commands from any Echo device to retrieve stored vessel information such as fuel levels, battery status, location, and more. SeaGauge G2™ Remote Sensor units convert existing analog sensors into network protocols including NMEA 2000, Ethernet, and WiFi for instrumentation display on compatible devices such as Chart Plotters, PCs, Android tablets, iPads, and SmartPhones. SeaGauge G2 sends vessel data to the HelmSmart Cloud service using available internet connections where it is stored on a high speed time series data base. When users speak to their linked echo devices, the live instrumentation data is retrieved and sent back as Alexa voice responses. Customers can now ask Alexa “what is my fuel level” or “what is my battery status?”
The built-in Web Server and networking options allows SeaGauge G2™ Remote Sensor units to accept up to 28 separate sensor inputs and using the company’s PushSmart protocol , upload to the HelmSmart.net™ Internet site for display as charts, maps, spreadsheets, gauges, and other analytical tools. “Voice products like Amazon’s Echo now add a new dimension to vessel monitoring” comments Joe Burke CTO for Chetco Digital. “Live status is available simply by asking for it” he added. The Echo interface also provides alerts when something goes wrong. “Alexa can issue warnings if battery voltages are too low or if vessel is moved off a set location” Burke added when referring the new voice features. The HelmSmart service monitors sensors 24/7 and compares live data to trigger events which are passed on to the Alexa service.
SeaGauge G2 network interfaces allows data from hundreds of sensors to be recorded and uploaded to Cloud servers for analysis and display. SeaGauge G2™ interfaces directly to vessel data sensors such as temperature, pressure, fluid levels, voltages, and more - up to 28 different inputs. Sensor signals are converted to network protocols like WiFi, Ethernet, and NMEA 2000 for display on compatible tablets or Multi-Function Displays heads located throughout the vessel. A single SeaGauge G2™ Remote Sensor unit can support Dual engines plus a Generator and display on multiple devices using a single network cable. SeaGauge G2™ has built-in calibrations to support over 300 different sensors which can now be loaded directly using SD memory cards.
The new Alexa voice service is available for any existing SeaGauge or SeaSmart product that has an active internet connection. Echo can be used on-board via a wireless hotspot or cellular 3G/4G data modem. Both SeaSgauge G2 and Echo can share the same internet connection
SeaGauge G2™ has been upgraded with a new sealed enclosure design and 48 wire cable harness to accept 27 sensor inputs – 3 pulse, 12 analog, and 12 switch/indicator status. Vessel sensors can be attached directly to replace analog gauges or the unit can be configured to run in parallel with existing clusters by using voltage sense mode. High precision calibration tables can be tuned to within 0.5% accuracy across the entire operating range and virtually any new sensor added to the system. SeaGauge G2™ is designed to retrofit older vessels with outdated or inoperative gauges and convert to new digital formats found in most modern designs. Even if a vessel already has a new electronic engine package installed, there still is a need to add in fluid tanks, battery monitoring, Gen-Sets and other equipment for digital instrumentation.
A major benefit of the new networking options is seamless integration with Chetco Digital Instruments HelmSmart.net™ Cloud data services. Recorded SD data can be transferred to Cloud Servers using available internet connections where it is then instantly added to the HelmSmart database. Once in the Cloud, customers can search and view information using a variety of analysis and display tools. Cloud base storage provides fast and reliable access to vessel data using any browser enabled device. HelmSmart.net™ display tools include mapping (MapSmart.net), Graphing (GraphSmart.net), live instruments (netGauges.net), live plotting (netGraphs.net) and multidimensional data search. With a SeaGauge G2™ Ethernet or WiFi interface option, live vessel data can be streamed to HelmSmart™ cloud servers using on-board internet services and instantly viewed with any Browser enabled device. Hosting data on cloud servers provides continuous vessel assess for multiple users, virtually anywhere.
SeaGauge G2™ is standard with dual Serial/USB interface ports, sealed enclosure with 48 wire flying lead harness, 3 pulse, 12 analog, and 12 indicator status inputs. NMEA 2000, Ethernet, or WiFI network interfaces are optional. SD data logging is included with WiFi and Ethernet options. Pricing starts at $695 for SeaGauge G2™ base unit and $895 for NMEA 2000, Ethernet, or WiFi options. The new Alexa/Echo service is free to all HelmSmart users, just download the SeaGauge SKILL from the Alexa app.
For more information on SeaGauge G2™, and other Chetco Digital Instruments products, and where to buy, see our web sites at http://www.seagauge.com & http://www.digitalmarinegauges.com & http://www.helmsmart.com or email [email protected].
JOE BURKE, CHETCO DIGITAL INSTRUMENTS, http://www.seasmart.net, +1 (541) 469-4783, [email protected]
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