# Autonomous Solar-Powered Catamarans The C-Enduro Catamaran is Studying the Celtic Sea By Rahul Kalvapalle | Published 2015-08-21 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cenduro References: [gizmag](http://www.gizmag.com/c-enduro-celtic-sea/39034/) & [noc.ac.uk](http://noc.ac.uk/news/noc-wwf-partnership-novel-marine-robotic-vehicle-trials) The C-Enduro is a [fully solar-powered catamaran](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-boat-model) that is being used by scientists at the [National Oceanography Centre](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/visionary-art-challenge) in the UK to better study the Celtic Sea. Located off the southern coast of Ireland, the Celtic Sea is a marvel in that it is home to an unusual number of marine predators. The C-Enduro, a long-endurance autonomous surface vehicle, aims to help us understand why this is the case. This catamaran acquires power from [solar panels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-golf-cart) and a wind turbine, and can remain at sea for up to three months at a time. Its brushless motors offer a maximum speed of 7 knots via a pair of propulsion pods. The boat is even capable of returning to an upright position if it capsizes, thanks to a self-righting carbon hull. The C-Enduro is clearly an engineering marvel in itself, but is set to help us better understand the wonders of the ocean. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.6/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Autonomous Solar-powered Catamarans:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop autonomous solar-powered catamarans for various marine research purposes. - **Long-endurance Autonomous Surface Vehicles:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create long-endurance autonomous surface vehicles with advanced features for extended research missions. - **Renewable Energy Propulsion Systems:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Design renewable energy propulsion systems for marine vessels to reduce environmental impact and increase sustainability. ### Who This Affects Most - **Marine Research:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore the use of autonomous catamarans to revolutionize marine research and data collection techniques. - **Renewable Energy:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with renewable energy companies to develop efficient and sustainable power systems for marine vehicles. - **Oceanography:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate advanced technologies and autonomous capabilities into oceanographic studies to enhance data gathering and analysis. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hybrid Propulsion Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunreef-zero-cat.md) - [Autonomous Electric Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/callboats-cat-10l.md) - [Solar-Powered Private Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zen50.md) - [Revolutionary Electric Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/electric-catamaran.md) - [Emissions-Free Electric Leisure Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gosun-elcat-solar-electric-boat.md) - [Autonomous Sailing Research Vessels](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/research-vessel.md) - [Inflatable Two-Level Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/portless-catamaran.md) - [Solar-Powered Electric Boats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-electric-boat.md) - [RV Camper Catamarans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caracat-caravan-catamaran.md)