Comfort on board Electronics
06/02/2026

Artificial Intelligence on Board: Talk to Your Boat and Control It by Voice

By admin

Artificial intelligence is no longer something from the future, nor is it reserved for large yachts or expensive marine systems. In this episode of The Low Cost Sailor, we show you how you can talk to your boat and control it by voice, using low-cost WiFi devices, smart home technology, and AI tools like Google Home and Google Gemini.

The goal is simple: make your boat more comfortable, smarter, and safer, without spending a fortune.

🚤 What can you do by talking to your boat?

By combining marine automation with artificial intelligence, you can now:

  • Turn interior and exterior lights on and off
  • Adjust light colors and brightness
  • Check inside and outside temperatures
  • View onboard cameras remotely
  • Control smart plugs, sensors, and alarms
  • Activate remote controls such as the autopilot or windlass

All of this can be done simply by voice, from your phone… or even from a smartwatch on your wrist.

🧠 Artificial Intelligence + Google Home = your boat’s brain

In this setup, Google Home acts as the central hub that brings together devices from different platforms:

  • Tuya sensors and smart plugs
  • Infrared (IR) remote controls
  • Radio Frequency (RF) remote controls
  • WiFi cameras
  • Smart switch panels

Once everything is properly organized (home, rooms, and clear device names), Google Gemini, Google’s AI, takes control.

With Gemini you can:

  • Ask natural questions like: “Is it cold outside my boat?”
  • Give complex commands such as: “Turn on all the lights and set them to 10% brightness”
  • Control multiple systems with a single sentence

This is the moment when your boat truly starts to listen, understand, and respond.

⌚ Full control from a smartwatch (and increased safety)

One of the most powerful aspects of this system is using a Wear OS smartwatch with 4G connectivity.

This allows you to:

  • Activate Google Home and Gemini without taking out your phone
  • Control the boat with a single button
  • Carry a fully independent phone on your wrist
  • Significantly increase onboard and personal safety

In case of falling overboard, losing your phone, or any emergency, having a connected smartwatch can be a real lifesaver.

The model used in the video is the Xiaomi Watch 2 Pro 4G LTE, offering excellent value for money.

🔌 WiFi universal remote controls (IR and RF)

To control devices that originally rely on physical remote controls (TV, autopilot, windlass…), we use WiFi universal remote controls capable of learning almost any signal:

  • Infrared (IR) for TVs and onboard electronics
  • Radio Frequency (RF) for marine remote controls

These devices allow you to control everything from your phone, through Google Home, and finally by voice using AI.

🛒 Shopping links – Equipment used

👉 WiFi universal remote controls

👉 Required software

👉 Recommended smartwatches

🎥 Watch the full video

In the video, we explain the entire system step by step, including real-life examples, voice commands, configuration, and onboard tests.

👉 Watch the full EP114 on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/5mX3IjnvqDs

🔎 SEO keywords

Artificial intelligence on board, control boat by voice, marine automation, connected boat, Google Home boat, Gemini AI, smartwatch sailing, onboard safety, remote boat control, The Low Cost Sailor

If you want to make your boat smarter, more comfortable, and safer, this system is one of the best low-cost ways to get started.

⛵ Fair winds and safe sailing