An alarm to sleep peacefully at anchor
Largowind was created in April 2016 by Mathilde Argaud based on the idea of creating a connected anchor alarm. One year later, Connected Rope exists. It is a waterproof box containing a voltage sensor. Connected by two ends, on one side to the boat and on the other side to the anchor chain, the Connected Rope transmits an alert via the bluetooth network when it detects a strong voltage variation, synonymous with the boat skidding. "The advantage is that we use the anchor tension information directly and not, like existing solutions, a GPS position, less precise and dependent on the connection to the network. With the Connected Rope, the yachtsman can sleep quietly at anchor," says Baptiste Corvey-Biron, sales manager at Largowind.
Connected Rope Device
Tests are in progress for a transmission on the 2G/3G mobile network, so that the alarm is transmitted when one leaves the edge for a walk on land.
Commercialization in 2018
The product has now been tested on different boats under different conditions. Pre-sales will be launched in November 2017, for launch in the second quarter of 2018. The target retail price for the end user is announced at 800 € including VAT. The target is the boater, boat owner between 6 m and 20 m. Distribution will be both direct and via referencing, already underway, in the large networks of hardware stores.
Mooring fairground
Fundraising in Luxembourg
Largowind was created by French people in Luxembourg. "We were able to benefit from significant subsidies thanks to a start-up accelerator in the Grand Duchy, which explains our installation in Luxembourg," explains Baptiste Corvey-Biron. "We are currently raising funds for the development of Largowind with a target of 300 000 €, which can be doubled, under certain conditions, thanks to a Luxembourg public programme. We are nevertheless attached to France and the Connected Rope will certainly be manufactured in France. A marketing liaison office is also located in France."
