SAN RAFAEL, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Autodesk (Nasdaq:
ADSK) is sponsoring a unique project from PlanetSolar to produce the world's
largest solar-powered sailboat capable of circumnavigating the globe.
Based in Germany, PlanetSolar is leading the project to construct the
solar catamaran, and Autodesk is supplying the Digital Prototyping technology
and training that will help PlanetSolar quickly and cost-effectively design
and build it. Autodesk supplied PlanetSolar engineers with Digital Prototyping
software from the Autodesk Inventor and Autodesk Alias product families along
with AutoCAD Electrical and Autodesk Productstream to help PlanetSolar
digitally design, visualize and simulate the solar catamaran before it is
built.
The project is the brainchild of Raphael Domjan, president of PlanetSolar,
who will also pilot the boat. PlanetSolar aims to demonstrate the potential of
renewable energies, such as solar power, through technological developments
while advancing hybrid and electric-powered means of transport.
"Our planet deserves better. We have to start asking ourselves what
tomorrow's technologies will be, and at the same time, offer answers," said
Domjan. "Engineers and scientists need to be motivated to develop innovative
technologies that inspire people and show that we can achieve the impossible.
Autodesk software enables our engineers to carry out extensive testing without
wasting time and materials building a costly physical prototype."
"Building an actual prototype of the vessel would contradict the
environmental philosophy of the project," said Robert "Buzz" Kross, senior
vice president, Manufacturing Industry Group at Autodesk. "Our design software
helps designers to make more sustainable choices at key points in the design,
engineering and manufacturing process. The Autodesk solution for Digital
Prototyping enables engineers to develop products in an environmentally
friendly manner using a minimum of resources."
The Knierim Yachtbau in Kiel, Germany, will assemble the boat. The first
solar-powered circumnavigation of the globe is planned for 2010 along the
equatorial route. The voyage - which will cover nearly 25,000 miles (more than
40,000 kilometers) at an average speed of 10 knots -- is expected to take
about 120 days and set several new world records. Stops are planned in major
harbors where the capabilities of renewable energies and solar power will be
on display to a wider audience. For more information, visit
www.planetsolar.org.
About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc., is a world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the
manufacturing, building and construction, and media and entertainment markets.
Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the
broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help
customers experience their ideas before they are real. Fortune 1000 companies
rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world
performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance
quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk,
visit www.autodesk.com.
Editorial Notes:
An interview with PlanetSolar and Knierim Yachtbau is available on the
Autodesk YouTube Channel at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgQiE2uhVLo, and to
view an animation depicting the PlanetSolar project, please visit this You
Tube link.
Autodesk, AutoCAD, Alias, Autodesk Inventor and Inventor are registered
trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or
affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product
names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the
right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without
notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may
appear in this document.
(C) 2009 Autodesk, Inc. All rights reserved.
Media Contacts:
Clay Helm, 415.547.2425 Christian Strebe, +49 (0)89 452278-17
clay.helm@autodesk.com c.strebe@fortispr.de
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050415/SFF034LOGO)
SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.
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