Autotether™ Gives Wireless Freedom in an Engine Shutdown Safety System
In the U.S., new engine shutdown regulations are being introduced but doesn’t a safety switch system make a lot of sense anyway?
Autotether's™ wireless lanyard system recently received the Connecticut Technology Council 2011 Innovation Pipeline Award as the most promising new technology product of the year.
“We’re honoured to be recognized by our home state Technology Council. With the U.S. Coast Guard currently developing a regulation to require the installation and use of engine cut-off switches, this award couldn’t come at a better time for our company,” said Autotether CEO Anthony Viggiano.
The new Coast Guard regulation would require the installation and use of engine cut-off switches (lanyards) for boats less than 26'. Lanyards turn off a boat's engine if the operator is ejected from the boat, preventing boating injuries and casualties caused when people are struck by the boat or its propeller.
While cut-off switches are already standard equipment on most small powerboats, the factory-installed systems require the operator to be tethered to the boat. As a result, these systems limit mobility on board.
The Autotether Wireless Lanyard System is an easy-to-install, unobtrusive wireless unit. No wiring or tools are required – the system clips to the existing kill switch and is self-powered with AAA batteries.
A small personal sensor sends radio waves to a receiver connected to a boat’s engine and Autotether shuts off the engine if the boat operator falls into the water. It also sets off an alarm if passengers on the boat wearing the Autotether sensors (including children and pets) fall into the water.
