Kite Drive
Wind-based ship propulsion as a key product

The technology encompasses three key areas of innovation:

• Kite deployment system: Enables automated launching and landing of the kites and ensures reliable flight operations.
• Flight control: The control unit controls the high-performance kites via four control lines and integrates the sensor technology for flight data into an overall system. All flight situations, including calm winds, overload, or emergency situations, are recorded and automatically mitigated.
• 
  : Kite Drive uses AI-powered software for autopilot or fly-by-wire operation to efficiently maximize wind energy yield. The entire system and its individual components are protected by patents.

• Technology status:
  Kite Drive has been tested on land and at sea since 2020 and is undergoing continuous development.

• Market potential:
  Kite wind propulsion systems address a market in commercial shipping that has been largely untapped to date (approx. 15% of the global merchant fleet, around 20,000 ships).
• The systems generate additional traction, relieve the main drive, and reduce fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions.
• Revenue is generated through services, licensing models, and commissions.
• Development basis:
  More than €8 million has already been invested in research and development. Technology and product verification is available.

• Growth:
  A financing round of €6 million is currently underway to advance offshore certification, product development, and market launch. Partnerships with shipping companies in the freight and container shipping sectors are already in place, and further contacts in the (private) yacht sector have been established. Purchase orders have been received.