WISAMO from Michelin its name is a combination of the words wing, sail, and mobility — is an inflatable, retractable, and automated wing sail. While it's not intended to replace ships' engines entirely, it lightens their loads and decreases their dependence on fuel. According to Michelin, the company that manufactured the design, the goal is to cut carbon emissions by up to 20% for existing ships and up to 50% for newly-built models.

"It is a revolutionary design that harnesses the wind — a free, universal, and inexhaustible source of propulsion," Gildas Quemeneur, executive director of WISAMO, said. "Decarbonization has become a vital way to limit environmental impact, and solutions need to come in many different forms. WISAMO is an important innovation that can help the maritime industry reach its ambitious goals."

Unlike a traditional sail, which has a flat surface, WISAMO from Michelin is inflatable, reducing mechanical stress and increasing durability. When conditions are suitable for capturing the wind, small fans inside the sail fill it with air as a telescopic mast raises it high above the deck. When the ship returns to port, passes under a bridge, or encounters winds above 55 knots, the mast lowers and the sail deflates into neat folds atop the deck.

These actions are performed digitally and automatically, with sensors determining optimal settings for smooth, efficient sailing. The sail is simple to install and operate, and can be used by commercial ships and pleasure craft alike.

>https://www.businessinsider.com/sc/a-new-sail-design-is-pushing-the-maritime-industry-to-sustainability