Drive-Pod-16 of Velettrica lands at the Mets

At METSTRADE in Amsterdam, Velettrica will present to the international public Drive-Pod-16, the hybrid propulsion system that already won the MOST Mobility Challenge and was the protagonist of its recent debut at the Genoa International Boat Show.

For the Roman company, participation in the main international event dedicated to nautical components represents an important opportunity to engage with shipyards, designers, operators, and professionals in the sector interested in new technologies for propulsion and energy management on board.

On Wednesday, November 18, at 11:00 a.m., at stand 05.561, the official presentation will take place with a press conference attended, among others, by Engineer Danilo Calcagni of the National Research Council (CNR), head of the towing tank at the INM – Marine Engineering Institute, whose work has made it possible to carry out numerous and accurate tests of the Drive-Pod-16, in addition to Asier Saenz of NX Technologies, a young Spanish company that, with the innovative Orbit O40 inverter, has contributed to making the pod more compact and efficient.

The meeting will be an opportunity to dive deeper into the engineering solutions underlying the project, its innovative features, and its application prospects for boating.

Drive-Pod-16 is a system developed by Velettrica through a process of research and industrial collaboration. It consists of an electric motor and its drive electronics inside a submerged pod, a battery pack and the control unit, it is compatible with a range of energy sources: from conventional generators to hydrogen fuel cells, as well as solar panels and wind generators.

Designed as the main propulsion system for displacement sailing and motor boats up to 14 m, and as an auxiliary propulsion system for motorboats up to 20 m, it can be installed on both new builds and existing boats undergoing refit. Its ability to replace an existing saildrive without requiring any structural modifications to the hull further broadens its range of applications.

It ensure incredible maneuverability an safety and it can recover energy while sailing: the propeller can operate as a generator, helping recharge the batteries and power onboard systems.

Sustainability is a key element of the project, extending to both the choice of materials and the product's end-of-life considerations. The propeller and fin are made from a recycled polymer based on nylon and carbon fibre, while all components are designed with recyclability and sustainable sourcing in mind.

At METSTRADE Drive-Pod-16 will be presented with a new livery, which adds an aesthetic dimension to the project, enhancing the dialogue between technology, design and nature.

It was signed by Giangi Razeto, an Italian designer and artist who investigates the relationships between human behavior, technological innovation, design, and contemporary art. An Innovation & Design professional at F.lli Razeto & Casareto SpA, a historic Ligurian company specializing in the production of boat handles, Razeto paid homage to Drive-Pod-16 by creating a pictorial intervention directly on the Pod, using nautical paints and techniques that will make the work interactive with the sea, to underscore its respectful symbiosis with the ecosystem. The artist will be present at the Velettrica stand to tell and illustrate his work.

Participation in METSTRADE represents a new stage in Velettrica's growth journey and an opportunity to bring Drive-Pod-16 to the attention of the international market, with the aim of developing new collaborations towards an increasingly sustainable nautical industry.