The OSCAR Distribution Network Keeps Growing

Expanding the international availability of OSCAR products for the recreational and professional segments of the marine industry, BSB AI has won wireless technology specialist Powertec Wireless Technology as a distribution partner for OSCAR advanced collision avoidance systems. Effective immediately, Powertec will cover Australia and New Zealand in the growing OSCAR distribution network, with its subsidiary Outback Marine Australia managing retail sales for the region. Outback Marine Australia is an engineering-oriented company that is well qualified to handle the design of any vessel electrical system for commercial or leisure application.

OSCAR stands for Optical System for Cognition and Ranging and is the first AI-based collision avoidance assistant for marine applications. OSCAR systems are available for pleasure, commercial and government vessels of all sizes. Once installed, they combine optical and thermal cameras with advanced machine vision to cover the gap between radar and AIS: OSCAR detects, identifies and monitors floating obstacles – large and small, day and night. 

“It is a priority for us to make OSCAR products and supporting services available to skippers in Australia and New Zealand, ” says Christoph Ballin, Managing Partner of OSCAR. “We are excited to do this together with the extremely professional team from Powertec, who have already tested our products on the open sea.” 

Powertec Founder and Managing Director Mr Raymond W Smith comment: “OSCAR products are a big leap ahead for collision avoidance on offshore sailing vessels, motor yachts and commercial vessels. We found the technology impressive, and we look forward to making it available in Australia and New Zealand.”

OSCAR products will be showcased for the first time in Australia during Sanctuary Cove Boat Show at the Powertec / Outback Marine booth (The Pavilions, Booth 246).

 About OSCAR products: 
OSCAR combines leading-edge camera technology with artificial intelligence to offer a new class of high-tech safety systems and enhanced situational awareness. Scanning the sea, sensitive to temperature differences as small as 0.05°C or 0.09°F respectively and based on machine learning experience from millions of recognized marine objects, OSCAR covers the blind spot of radar devices and AIS: identifying non-signalled small craft, buoys and floating objects. 
In addition, OSCAR can support search efforts in POB situations. Simple to use, OSCAR communicates with smartphones, tablets, chart plotters and onboard computers. OSCAR is an acronym for Optical System for Cognition and Ranging.

About Powertec Wireless Technology: 
Powertec Wireless Technology is a leading provider of connectivity solutions to mobile carriers, companies, government departments, defence and emergency services. The driving force behind the success of Powertec is its knowledge of connectivity and ability to deliver connectivity solutions to customers across Australia and New Zealand. Powertec wireless communication products and solutions make a difference by ensuring customers can communicate and be connected no matter where they may be.  With their acquisition of Outback Marine Australia, Powertec has developed a strong marine footprint that will be instrumental in introducing OSCAR to the specialist marine market and showcasing the capabilities of OSCAR at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show.

Established in 1998, Outback Marine specialises in boat and yacht electrical system design with expertise extending to caravans and mobile homes. Located in Southport, Queensland the company is committed to finding the best solutions that support reliable operation and comfortable living aboard whether at the dock, caravan park, coastal passage, tropical island, river anchorage or outback camping site. Outback Marine is an engineering-oriented company that is well qualified to handle the design of any vessel's electrical system for commercial or leisure applications.