Garmin launches innovative SmartDrive autopilot for sailboats and catamarans

Garmin launches innovative SmartDrive autopilot for sailboats and catamarans

First sailboat autopilot to use brushless linear actuator with built-in ECU for superior performance, reliability and simplified installation

Garmin Launches SmartDrive Autopilot System With Integrated ECU for Sailboats and Catamarans

Garmin released the SmartDrive autopilot system on September 1, 2026, marking the company’s entry into the sailboat and catamaran steering market with a new brushless linear actuator design. The system integrates an electronic control unit (ECU) directly into the actuator, a configuration intended to streamline the installation process and improve mechanical reliability for vessel operators. The new hardware utilizes brushless motor technology t…