The Integration of AI Technologies in Modern Yacht Design Methodology

This paper explores the integration of artificial intelligence technologies throughout the yacht design process, enhancing both the traditional design spiral and V-model methodologies. The proposed approach begins at the requirements definition phase, where AI-powered emotion recognition and natural language processing analyse client interviews, interpreting facial expressions, tone of voice, and emotional responses to design proposals, ensuring a more precise understanding of owner preferences. The implementation of AI tools continues through various design stages, with machine learning algorithms optimising hull parameters to enhance vessel performance and onboard comfort. Generative AI accelerates the concept phase by rapidly producing and evaluating multiple design alternatives while considering complex constraints such as stability requirements, hydrodynamic performance, and spatial arrangements. This systematic integration extends beyond the design phase to the operational lifecycle of the vessel, where AI-driven comfort monitoring systems analyse passenger emotions through computer vision, automatically adjusting onboard settings including temperature, lighting ambiance and audio environments. Our findings demonstrate how this AI-enhanced approach not only reduces iteration time within the design spiral but also enhances the verification and validation phases of the V-model. The paper addresses both the benefits and current limitations of AI implementation in yacht design, proposing a framework for effective human-AI collaboration that transforms how naval architects approach luxury yacht design in the digital age.