Yanmar Holdings, a Japanese company known for its diesel engines and agricultural machinery, has announced that it has invested in Oceanos, a new venture that will focus on developing and providing marine activities based on the Wheeebo watercraft project.
What is Wheeebo?
Wheeebo is a personal watercraft that resembles a circular saucer. It is powered by an electric motor and a nickel hydrogen battery, and can reach a maximum speed of 3 knots. It is designed to be used on calm waters such as beaches, lakes, and rivers, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Wheeebo was created by Yanmar as part of its efforts to create exciting new experiences in recreational marine. The concept of Wheeebo is “Fun for Everyone”, and it allows users the freedom to discover various ways of enjoying time on the water. Users can relax, have fun, or explore with Wheeebo, and find their own style of riding.
Wheeebo was launched as a service in selected hotels and facilities in Okinawa, Japan, in July 2021. Yanmar plans to expand the service to other locations in Japan and overseas in the future.
Why Oceanos?
Oceanos is a spin-off venture of the Wheeebo project, established by Yanmar Holdings and Spirete, a program that helps companies bring new businesses to the startup phase. Oceanos aims to develop various aspects of the Wheeebo business, such as product development, marketing, sales, and operation.
Oceanos will leverage the resources and know-how of Yanmar Holdings and Spirete, as well as external funding and partnerships, to realize speedier and more flexible decision making and business growth. Oceanos will also explore new possibilities for marine activities, beyond Wheeebo, and create value for customers and society.
Oceanos was officially launched on December 13, 2023, with a capital of 100 million yen. The CEO of Oceanos is Masahiro Yamamoto, who was previously the head of the Wheeebo project at Yanmar. The company is based in Osaka, Japan, and has 10 employees as of December 2023.
What are the benefits of Oceanos?
Oceanos is expected to bring several benefits to the marine industry and the environment. Some of the benefits are:
- Oceanos will provide a new and innovative way of enjoying the water, which can attract more customers and increase the demand for marine activities.
- Oceanos will contribute to the promotion of marine tourism and the revitalization of local economies, especially in coastal areas and islands.
- Oceanos will use environmentally friendly technologies, such as electric motors and renewable energy sources, to reduce the impact of marine activities on the environment and the climate.
- Oceanos will foster a culture of marine appreciation and conservation, by educating and inspiring customers and the public about the beauty and importance of the ocean.
Oceanos is a new venture that aims to create a sustainable and enjoyable future for the marine industry and the society. With Wheeebo as its flagship product, Oceanos will continue to innovate and challenge the status quo of marine activities.
