Application of Constructive Neural Networks to America's Cup Yacht

This work presents a Neural Network-based performance
analysis and optimization of sailing configurations
of an America s Cup yacht. The analysis is based on
experimental data only, gathered from the sailing
records provided by the onboard telemetry to train
the neural networks. The focus of the work is on the
performance analysis, with the objective of
maximizing boat speed (objective function) by varying
the sailing setups (design variables). The neural
network based on the experimental data is coupled
with a genetic algorithm to determine the maximum
boat speed and corresponding yacht settings at
various wind speeds.
More importantly, however, the paper demonstrates
that multiple yacht sailing configurations can be
analyzed instantaneously on a regular PC, thus
providing a valuable analysis and prediction tool for
the design and sailing teams.

Autorentext

Graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Naval Architecture in England, Frederick Courouble pursued his research with a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering in Long Beach. Its latest research was in collaboration with the South African syndicate for the 32nd America's Cup. Today he is a design partner with the California yacht designer Tim Kernan.

Klappentext

This work presents a Neural Network-based performanceanalysis and optimization of sailing configurationsof an America's Cup yacht. The analysis is based onexperimental data only, gathered from the sailingrecords provided by the onboard telemetry to trainthe neural networks. The focus of the work is on theperformance analysis, with the objective ofmaximizing boat speed (objective function) by varyingthe sailing setups (design variables). The neuralnetwork based on the experimental data is coupledwith a genetic algorithm to determine the maximumboat speed and corresponding yacht settings atvarious wind speeds. More importantly, however, the paper demonstratesthat multiple yacht sailing configurations can beanalyzed instantaneously on a regular PC, thusproviding a valuable analysis and prediction tool forthe design and sailing teams.