Yamaha Motor Europe (YME) has established a new company, Yamaha Motor Connected Innovation (YMCI), in Finland to develop digital platforms and connected technologies for the marine business. To support this development, Yamaha has acquired the software platform and intellectual property rights of Skipperi, a Finnish startup focused on boating technology in which Yamaha invested in 2023.
Yamaha Motor Connected Innovation
Based in Espoo, Finland, YMCI will have approximately 15 employees and be lead by Konsta Hansson. Its objective is developing the software capabilities of Yamaha’s digital platform further and preparing it for release in the years to come.
Skipperi
Accoridng to YME, Skipperi’s software strength lies in its ability to develop platforms to provide customers with comfortable marine experiences. With the software platform, which uses digital technology, boat clubs can operate subscription-based rental of their boat fleet. The app enables users to reserve boats, access harbors and manage boating trips, without the hassle of owning a boat.
Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric
These initiatives align with Yamaha Marine’s CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) strategy. They are intended to build a foundation for further connected technology development by leveraging the acquired digital assets and integrating them in Yamaha’s marine digital solutions. Simultaneously, these operations are projected to increase the sales of Yamaha’s digital platform in the globally expanding sharing market.
Yamaha will continue to pursue its Marine CASE strategy set forth in the previous medium-term management plan, and in the new medium-term management plan announced in February 2025. Ultimately, it plans to evolve its marine business into an “Integrated Boat Business” that maximizes the value of the customer experience.
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