The hand controller responds to your command, sends a signal to the Buoybot(s) you have specified, the Buoybot then does what you have asked it to do.

• Buoybots use global navigation satellite systems (of which GPS is one). Each Buoybot is constantly bouncing signals from hardware whizzing around in space to determine where it is, compared to where it should be, then each Buoybot responds with instructions to the motors to correct the difference between those positions.

• Like all good technology, Buoybots are deceptively complex devices. They contain lots of high tech miniaturised equipment. 50 years ago if this gear existed, each piece weighed a couple of tonnes and each filled large rooms. Today, all these devices combined fit in a box smaller than the average sugar cube, and with every passing year will get smaller, lighter, cheaper, and more accurate. All modern phones, cars, drones, and some coffee machines contain this stuff.

A question that does not have a straight forward answer.

You mean, do they stay “still”?

• No ! Buoybots are continually in motion – they will rise and fall with the action of waves, they will be pulled and pushed with the action of wind, tide, current, all manner of flotsam and jetsam. However, the electronic systems and equipment within the Buoybot are constantly feeding instructions to the motors to work to keep each individual Buoybot at the place where they have been instructed to be.

“Compared to what” is also a reasonable response to that question.

• A steel pipe driven into the ground?

• Buoybots will not stay as still as a steel pipe driven into the seabed.

An anchored buoy ?

• Anchored buoys are pushed/pulled by the forces of nature wind/tide and extend the length of rope they are tied to. Does a buoy ever float directly above its anchor ?

• Buoybots seek the position you have asked them to go to, then depending on prevailing conditions, relax to the limit of accuracy defined by the manufacturer of the GNSS unit, and the GNSS system they happen to be talking to.

• Then just like anchored buoys constrained by rope, Buoybots will stay roughly at the defined limit, “circling” the defined anchor point if the breeze and or tide vectors move around.

• The latest GNSS GPS (www.Matek.com M10Q) has a published performance of 1.5 mtrs, whereas earlier models fitted with M8Q may see 2.5 mtrs.

SUMMARY – accuracy is a very relative term. If your sailing demands rock steady, absolutely immovable objects to pass around, don’t change your habits, but if your fleet can cope with a small amount of tolerance, and all the associated benefits that Buoybots bring, then Buoybots are your answer.

• Individually, Buoybots are designed to travel to and from a location the person controlling them tells them to go to, and when they arrive, to stay as still as possible, despite the current, wind, or other forces working against them.

• When asked to come home, Buoybots return in the direction of the controller, anchoring five meters from the controller.

• Collectively, a skilled operator can make more than one Buoybot travel together, and / or create a pattern like four corners of a box, and move that pattern around at the same time if conditions change.

• Regretfully not. They will only go where you ask them to. If there is an obstacle in the way, Buoybots will run into that obstacle. Buoybots have no way to “see” objects (logs, boats etc) approaching them either, so if you put, or leave, your Buoybot in a busy seaway, they may get run over.

• You are responsible at all times, for the position and location of your Buoybots.

• Yes. Buoybots, subject to anything being in the way, Buoybots will come home when instructed.

• See Operations Manual - short press on “home” individually or collectively - long press on “home”.

• Buoybots are very robust, very durable. If a boat approaches at slow / medium speeds, the bow wave is most likely going to move them aside, and when that boat has passed, Buoybots will try to return to the position you have asked them to go to.

• If a fast boat / jet ski hits them, they may capsize, in which case you will need to go and get them. Depending on the severity of the impact, the Buoybot control box is designed to be large enough to keep the motor / skeg a float, in which case, Buoybots “panic” mode may kick in and they will try to come Home.

• Buoybots won’t get upset, but they will get even, almost immediately pushing back on what ever is bullying them in an effort to return to station. Buoybot movement may be imperceptible if struck a glancing blow, and the rotating top does its job, but it is entirely possible, however unlikely, that a boat may snag the flag and drag the buoy some meters.

• Consideration for these events may be considered good form by the RC club involved.

• In excess of six hours if maintained correctly – See “Batteries”

Panic! - Buoybots are programmed to come home (P for panic will show on the status screen) in the event that;

o An individual Buoybot battery is running dangerously low, or

o All Buoybots will come home if the controller battery is running dangerously low.

If communication is lost for more than 90 seconds between one or all Buoybots, Panic mode will be activated on one or all Buoybots.

• Panic can be turned off, by simply pressing down (click) on the joystick for each Buoybot.

NOTE – keeping clear line of sight between the hand controller and ALL Buoybots is not essential to Buoybot operation.

• We have been unsuccessful in capsizing a Buoybot (excepting in breaking surf conditions), but yes, in testing with jets ski circling very close, very fast, kicking up a huge wake, we capsized a Buoybot with a dome top, and it did not self right.

• Gluing a camera to the top of the top of the dome is not recommended. A perfectly good Go Pro has met its end this way.

• Not recommended.

Buoybots are limited (by programming) to 1.5 knots of travel speed, which is less than 50% of available power. The motors are capable of far higher speeds, and that additional power is used only when keeping station, or when buoys are in manual mode.

When keeping station, or when Buoybots are in manual mode they may “wheelstand” from time to time. This is a function of motor power versus the waterline length of the Buoybot.

• When keeping station this may be an indication that something is fouling the props, or conditions are such it is time to change tops, so stop Buoybot and remedy the issue.

• If in manual mode, simply reduce the throttle.

Yes indeed. Electronics and water is never a good mix, and the owner is solely responsible for maintenance.

• Keep the Buoybot control box seal in excellent condition, never allow moisture in.

• Look after batteries, do not let the smoke out.

• Connections must be dried and treated with anti corrosive after each outing.

• Inspect propellors for damage/ blockage.

• Do not let the hand controller get wet, or be dropped.

• Only use recommended batteries, and keep them in excellent condition. Etc…

• See maintenance above.

• Only motors, 180 days from receipt, subject to inspection by manufacturer.

Yes. Our brushless motors do not have a through shaft, making it difficult for weed etc to wrap around anything. However the rear housing can get obstructed, so check after each outing.

In testing, running Buoybots aground on stoney beaches can be a problem with small stones or coral pieces jamming the props. Take care and keep propellors in good condition, free of obstructions.

Buoybot hand controller can operate up to eight at the same time.

Be patient. There is a lot going on. During start up, there is a startup sequence initialising the hand controller, the GPS unit, the accelerometer, gyroscope and compass. Watch for the status lights within the Buoybot box.

See also Operations manual.

In the Buoybot;

• red light confirms compass alignment when facing magnetic north.

• 1st green confirms power is on

• 2nd green confirms communications to the controller

• 3rd green indicates GPS is locked (and this is confirmed with blue light on the GPS)

See also Operations manual.

• Startup has failed. DO NOT launch.

• Refer the Operations manual

• Uplug, reboot.

• Be patient, be deliberate.

NO – You should not power off the controller. Buoybots continue to chat to the controller during use. See “Panic”.

That is a power saving feature. Press any button, wait for screen to lightup, then proceed to do what you need to do.