© Stiftung Jugend forscht

Sailing is no child's play: you have to master a wide variety of maneuvers to steer and always keep an eye on the wind. Felix Krabbes (18) has written an algorithm that automatically steers a model sailing boat without the need for external remote control intervention. Sensors on board the mini sailboat record measured variables such as wind direction, acceleration and sail position. The on-board computer uses this information to determine the most favorable course, for example to optimally master a regatta course. Krabbes initially used his software in a computer simulation to test its suitability. Next, he wants to test his system in practice: with a real model sailing boat on a real lake.