François Gabart
Record
Single-handed Round the World Sailing Record 2017
7 competitors
in the top 10
VALS-Atlantic
2019
Dalin / Elies
IMOCA Victory
Transat Jacques Vabre
2019
Ian Lipinski
Class40 victory
Transat Jacques Vabre
2019
See the full list of winners
Testimonial
Ian Lipinski
Class40 skipper, Crédit Mutuel, winner of the 2019 Transat Jacques Vabre

(...) we will never again hold the helm and will break the 24-hour record, under auto pilot!

Madbrain is doing great. That third man [double_handed race] is clearly a major factor in this performance.

Testimonial
Yves Le Blevec
Skipper Ultim Actual Leader

An incredible level of autopilot!

We've got an incredible pilot on board, it's almost offensive, he's a better helmsman than you. We have an incredible level of automatic pilot. It's incredible what they [the Madintec team] have done! Well done for the job!

Testimonial
Vincent Riou
IMOCA skipper PRB, winner of the 2004-2005 Vendée Globe

It's evil!

In AWA mode, you get easily scared. We wouldn't dare attack like that at the helm. It's evil!

Source:
Sea Horse
# Simplicity

Simplified autopilot

  • Ready to use

    MADBrain is a truly automatic pilot, adapting to all wind and sea conditions without any adjustments.

  • With the remote control, 1 click = 1 action

    Your wireless MADRemote on your wrist accompanies you on your every move.

  • 1 click to activate Compass or Wind Mode

  • 1 click for Tack or Jibe

  • 1 click to activate the supervision modes for more performance

For each action, a direct button

  • H Click on H to activate the pilot in Heading mode.
  • W Click on W to switch to the Real Wind target mode.

    Here we go, no complex parameters (gain, pid) or modes.

# performance

With one click, the fastest path

Rudder angle accurate at a tenth of a degree

The MADController manages the rudder actuator with unprecedented precision to the tenth of a degree. The result is an ultra-fluid trajectory, with no rudder jerks.

This translates into a 40% saving in the energy consumption of the actuator.

Setpoint tracking and supervision mode

The MADBrain with a perfectly controlled real wind, can follow your instructions by following a perfect pre-calculated curve. It anticipates and adapts to the conditions.

With the activation of the supervision modes (click !N), your pilot will deviate from the set point to make speed. It will take the surfs and relaunch in low wind. It attacks for you. The MADBrain wants to win!

# Serenity

Win, with peace of mind

You sleep, MADBrain takes care of everything, and the Madintec team is available to accompany you.

1
MADBrain monitors and records data from sensors
2
MADBrain sends the data to the Madintec server for processing
3
MADBrain receives new calibrations from the server
Rates

The right formula for your ambitions

Madintec offers several levels of software depending on your needs.

MADBrain Lite Pack

10 000 €*
Wind calculation
Heading and true wind piloting
Bar fineness
Easy to use
5 inch control screen

MADBrain Performance Pack

16 000 €*
MADBrain Lite Pack
Polar mode control VMG
Web interface for PC, smartphone, and tablet
Datalogger
Supervision mode

* These prices do not include the installation of the driver which must be done by an installer of our network. These prices do not include NMEA2000 sensors and displays.

Order

Let's establish a diagnosis of your boat together to determine the best solution and find the right installer.

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Products - Technical specifications

MADBrain is a complete solution including a navigation system and a high level autopilot.

The navigation system processes the sensor data to provide clear and accurate information such as the true wind calculation. The MADBrain broadcasts this information to the displays and the on-board computer.

The control solution calculates the trajectories according to the user's instructions and the data produced by the control unit.

The user's instructions are transmitted via the MADRemote wireless remote control or via the MAD Control Center interface. The MADController controls the actuator based on the MADBrain's angle commands.

Blue-print of the MADBrain central and control solution

The MADBrain box is the brain of the whole system. It integrates the central computing and control unit functions.

The functions of the computer centre

  • Reading raw data from NMEA2000 sensors

  • Reading raw data from sensors on the Madintec Bus with MAD Mast, MAD Analogic, etc.

  • Advanced dynamic calculation of different winds (real, apparent, effective, background...)

  • Performance calculations

  • Sending data to NMEA2000 displays

  • Data logging

The different control modes of MADBrain

  • Heading tracking

  • True wind set point tracking (TWA)

  • Polar mode setpoint tracking

  • Tacking and gybing function

  • 1 Supervision mode Security: Heel

  • 2 Performance Supervision Modes: Heel and Apparent Wind

MADBrain inputs/outputs

  • 1 × Ethernet input.

  • 2 × CAN 2.0 bus ports: NMEA2000 and Madintec 

  • dim 110 × 180 × 60 mm / weight 950 g / power consumption 300-600 mA at 12V

  • 2 × Series

This actuator module receives steering commands from MADBrain AutoPilot. In combination with our recommended angle sensors and actuators it is capable of positioning the rudder to a tenth of a degree.

It allows a DC motor to be connected, and monitors the speed and direction of rotation of the motor and the clutch at a very high frequency. It detects servo anomalies such as loss of battery poweror mechanical breakdowns, in order to place itself in alarm mode if necessary.

The MAD Controller can control hydraulic and electric cylinders from the nautical world, but especially the custom versions boosted according to our recommendations.

MAD Controller inputs/outputs

  • 1 x 9-36V power supply input.

  • 1 x RAM Output 25Amp

  • 1 x Clutch output (adjustable voltage, 3Amp)

  • 1 x Analogue inputs 0-5 V

  • 1 x CAN 2.0 bus

  • dim 120 x 151 x 46 mm / weight 500 g / power consumption 30 mA at 12V

The MAD Control Center is the web application for setting up and monitoring the MADBrain solution. Here you can find all the data of the navigation system and the autopilot.

Control interface and settings of supervision modes

Autopilot command interface and control of the autopilot

This application has been designed to provide quick and easy access to useful information in a small crew. It is an ergonomic web interface that can be used on a computer as well as on a smartphone or tablet. There is nothing to install, you just need a web browser.

Other interface solutions

MADBrain data can be accessed on all NMEA2000 compatible displays from e.g. B&G or Garmin.

On the other hand, your MADBrain interfaces easily with your routing software like Adrena.

The main actions of the skipper with his MADBrain are performed through the MAD Remote. It accompanies you in all your movements.

You can wear it around your neck, on your wrist or on its holder in the cockpit.

You can install several MAD Remote on board in wired or wireless mode (with radio receiver). The connection to the Madintec CAN bus is ensured by the MAD Interface Digital box.

Accessible functions of the MADRemote

  • Activation/Deactivation of the pilot

  • Setpoint +1/-1 (adjustable)

  • Setpoint +10/-10 (adjustable)

  • Heading Mode / True Wind Angle Mode / Polar Mode

  • Tack / Jibe

  • Activation / deactivation Performance supervision modes

Connected to the CAN bus, this module is mainly used to transmit the skipper's orders to the MAD Brain AutoPilot, via a wireless (or wired) remote control. It is supplied with a radio receiver.

MAD Digital Interface inputs/outputs

  • 16 x 3.3V threshold logic inputs

  • 1 x CAN 2.0 bus port

  • dim 132 x 94 x 41 mm / weight 200 g / power consumption 70 mA at 12V

The MADBrain solution is fully compatible: NMEA2000. This standard of the nautical industry ensures a strong hardware compatibility, controlled costs and an easy installation (the connectivity is also standard).

The following sensors are available in NMEA2000: GPS, sounder, speedo, barometer, compass, inertial unit (see below)...

Wind measurement

For wind measurement, we require one of the following sensors (NMEA0183 compatible)

  • B&G Aerial

  • Aerial CarboWind NKE

These models are connected to the high frequency CANBus via a MADMast box.

The mast acquisition module: MAD Mast

The Mad Mast acquisition module is a measurement unit dedicated to the acquisition of signals from mast-related sensors. It has an opto-coupled, lightning and ESD protected NMEA0183 input, an ESD protected analogue input for mast angle measurement and a 12V isolated power supply which is also ESD and lightning protected.

MAD Mast interface inputs/outputs

  • 1 x optocoupled NMEA0183 input (NKE and B&G compatible)

  • 1 x analogue input

  • 1 x voltage source

  • Dimensions excluding connectors: Height 65 mm, width 65 mm, depth: 41 mm

  • Power supply via CAN bus: 8-36V

The course and movements of the boat

Madintec imposes an inertial unit that will provide the dynamics of the yacht. The MADSensor XD is a high-end inertial unit with two triple band GPS antennas.

This unit provides the following information:

  • Magnetic compass and GPS heading

  • GPS position and speed

  • VBUS (bus voltage can - 0.3V) 500mA

Other sensors

In the case of an installation on a boat already equipped with non-compatible sensors, e.g. a NKE installation, it is possible to use a converter such as the MADInterfaceAnalog.

The MAD Interface Analog acquisition module

The Mad Interface Analog is an analogue data acquisition module that communicates with the bravo control unit and Madintec products via the proprietary 500kbps CAN bus.

It is used to convert signals from analogue sensors (e.g. rudder angle, actuator shaft position...) or any other voltage level 0-5V, 0-10V or 4-20mA.

It samples at 200Hz and its accuracy is of the order of one ten-thousandth

In addition, it has 3 voltage sources to supply external sensors

  • 5V-350mA

  • 12V-500mA

  • VBUS (bus voltage can - 0.3V) 500mA

All three voltage sources are short-circuit proof. The MAD Interface Analog can be configured using the CAN Diagnostic Tool software.

MAD Analog Interface Inputs/Outputs

  • 8 x Analog inputs 0-5V, 0-10V 16bits single ended

  • 2 x Pulse inputs (referred to GND or floating inputs)

  • 1 Can bus (for proprietary Bravo/Madintec bus)

  • 1 x status Led (green in normal operation, flashing red or permanent in case of a detected fault)

All inputs are protected up to 30V DC and against the most common electrostatic discharges.

No-load consumption

  • 55 mA at 12V

  • 45 mA at 24V

Dimensions excluding connectors

  • Height: 66 mm

  • width: 119 mm

  • depth: 61 mm

Power supply: Via CAN bus 8-36V.

Madbrain Race news

Make way for 2024!

31/1/2024
2023 was a year rich in races and successes for the teams we support. 2024 promises to be fabulous. The new year gets off to a strong start with the Arkea Ultim Challenge, and will be rounded off by numerous transatlantic races, culminating in the Vendée Globe. And let's not forget the America's Cup, where several Madintec employees will be taking part.

Treat yourself to a MADBrain for your IRC, your Mini!

12/9/2023
Treat yourself to the best autopilot on the market. We wanted to make our MADBrain Autopilot solution accessible to as many people as possible, with an adapted price and a new, even simpler and more intuitive user interface.

What more can be said...

You have sailed here, how can we help you?

  • Is my boat compatible with MADBrain?

    All sailboats can be equipped with MADBrain. However, we focus on racing yachts such as Class 40s and IRCs.

    Our conversion units (MADInterface) allow to equip a boat whatever its initial electronics. 

  • Who develops MADBrain?

    The Madintec team is made up of 10 engineers dedicated to innovating in the world of electronics and computing for racing yachts.

  • Who will install MADBrain on my boat?

    Madintec does not install its solutions on board. We work with a network of certified installers. If you wish to become a certified installer, please contact us via this Contact form.

  • How long does it take to install?

    It takes at least 3 months to install a MADBrain. Don't hesitate to reserve your MADBrain now.

  • How to ask us questions live?

    Feel free to use our social networks. Contact us on Facebook and Twitter.