That’s exactly what this program is designed to show. We’ve done a lot of land testing so far. It might seem counterintuitive, but on land, the lines experience more tension since it's anchored to the ground. This helped us really test the system’s durability. Honestly, the Kite Engine is overbuilt right now. On a boat though, the dynamics change - there’s some give as the boat moves in the water, so it’s a different type of environment that will test the system's responsiveness and agility. We’re about to start trials on actual boats to test how responsive the system is in real-world conditions. I’m also making sure we don’t overextend our small team, so we’ve got five spots for early adopters who’ll get the engine at 50% off and a bunch of perks for helping us fine-tune the beta. There’s been more interest than I expected, so right now we’re working through selecting the best test platforms. I’m really excited for the next few months - we’re taking our time to do this right, and I think by the time it’s ready, the market will be too.
Congrats on the Beta launch. This is a super program for early adopters and fantastic way to collect real world data from different boat types. What are the baseline requirements my boat needs to meet for a proto OKE system? (power, mounting, stanchion/deck clearance, etc...)
We are looking at all different types of boats, the largest requirement is deck space and clearance for mounting. There is a spectrum of use cases: the smaller the boat the more it can be used for propulsion, the larger the boat the more it can be used to generate power, but boats with keels can really enjoy both along with cross wind and soon upwind capability. I think you'll really get a kick out of the website and research pages, If you're more interested in the program just drop a line! www.oceankiteenergy.com/
Wish I had a boat for this - I've been watching the solar powered yachts and this is on my list to add. Not looking for full sail rigging, but a kite sail looks like the perfect in-between. Donate for a Dream
There are different tiers, we have DIY, Manual, Electric and Autopilot. The prices are just for the beta program. They will be helping test the beta and in exchange they will get 50% off the production version
This is not really such a great offer, you are asking people to buy two units which means that your backers are not getting a good deal they are getting a rather hurtful deal. If you have a product that you are going to put into the field for testing with the intention of replacing it your early adopters should get a discount overall not a penalty, which is essentially what you are offering at the moment. If you can cash strapped I suggest go for a more traditional backer plan but you still need to offer advantages for your backers and what I see in this plan is penalties for backers not benefits.
What the early adopters are really buying is 50% off the production version to help us test the Beta version! Along with free installation, lessons and a 5 year warranty! (30 second mark of the video)
@@Ocean_Kite_Energy This is not clear in your pitch, it sounds like you but the beta then you buy the production one, which is basically paying twice, if you want to say that the total cost will be the cost of buying the production model then you need to either show it with numbers of make it clearer in your description. At the moment people will feel that it is better to wait then they only pay for the production model. I beleive that you need to rethink your fund raising model, you have an interesting product for someone who can see the advantages becasue they are tech junkies but I am struggling to see how it is worth the cost and risk. You need a marketing guy to help you come up with a more sellable story.
Right now it's just the beta program, all the details are on the website. So no commercial product yet! The hope is this testing will teach us how to produce the kite engine the most economically while refining the whole system. Economy of scale.
@@christopherd.winnan8701 Absolutely. It's important to me that this product is accessible to everyone. The V9 designs are fully modular, allowing users to start with the DIY version and upgrade to the Manual, Electric, or Auto versions as needed. The DIY option for this program is priced at $6,000, and it's tailored for makers with a 3D printer and plenty of time. We may be able to lower the cost further, but this kit includes a kite, one-on-one support, a video series, and all the non-3D-printed parts you'll need.
@@Ocean_Kite_Energy Thank you, I already have access to lots of kites but I am a bit far away for one-2one support. Fortunately, I am much better placed to source all the non 3d printed parts. Will any of this affect the price?
@@christopherd.winnan8701 For sure, the DIY models will take a bit longer to compile since there’s more room for error. I want to make sure the building experience is as positive as possible. The DIY-oriented people tend to follow the Patreon, and they’ll get first access to the models and how-to videos. I’ll have more details on this soon but here's the link! www.patreon.com/_KiteEngine
I have already submit my email but you didn't respond ... Thank You for Your Application! We sincerely appreciate your interest in joining the Kite Engine Pilot Program. Your application has been received, and we’re excited to review your submission. As a potential test pilot, you have the opportunity to help shape the future of sustainable sailing technology, and we’re thrilled that you want to be part of this journey. Our team will carefully review your application, and we’ll be in touch soon to let you know if you’ve been selected to join the program. If approved, you’ll be taking an active role in refining the Ocean Kite Engine, contributing valuable feedback, and experiencing the cutting-edge of wind-powered propulsion. Thank you again for your enthusiasm and commitment to innovation. We look forward to potentially working with you! Sincerely, The OKE Team
We received more applications than I thought, but in an effort to maintain quality we're only accepting 10, which makes this very hard. We're going over the applications and will get back to you by Monday evening!
Depends on the cost if its cheaper than a mast and sail, because i would view it as a secondary to replace mast and sail if solar fails. Is there a production product showing amount of recharge to battery banks?
I'm glad you brought that up! The Kite Engine is specifically designed to replace the rigging on average-sized boats. Replacing the mast on a 30-foot sailboat can cost anywhere from $15,000 to $30,000, so a kite engine is worth considering. It requires minimal rigging and can also function as a wind generator. We use electric bike motor controllers with regenerative capabilities, producing anywhere from 400 to 2,000 watts at 12 volts, with the current version averaging about 500 watts
A large ship would already have plenty of power. Small boats 0-150' plus would experience surges as the kite circled its cone and visually crazy over a long period of time. It seems like it would generate less power than it requires to function overall. I understand this is a beta thing... It's a cool concept that technically should work but against these issues not that anyone asked, ha.
This is a tradeoff, but there are a few ways we can reduce surges. Thanks to the gearing, we can either retract the line faster or generate more torque at a slower speed, depending on the situation. We also actively monitor the tension. If it exceeds a certain limit, the system automatically releases more line to reduce the strain. Alternatively, we can use a kite specifically designed for wind energy generation. These kites don’t rotate and have a smaller aspect ratio, meaning they produce more pull than lift. They sit lower in the sky, pull like a truck, and can be depowered using the backline. I really like your question-it shows a solid understanding of the dynamics at play .. Do you want a job?
Collaborate in helping us test the prototype, give us feedback, and we give you 50% off and give you a brand new kite engine improved with your suggestions, along with free installation and a 5 year warranty.
