Roboat
Roboat is a research program on autonomous boats in Amsterdam. The program was scheduled to last from 2016-2021, is developing the world's first fleet of autonomous vessels. It focuses on moving people and goods, portable infrastructure and data gathering.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Roboat is a project of the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute). The research within the program is conducted by MIT, Delft University of Technology and Wageningen University and Research. The program has a budget of €25 million. Prototypes are tested in Amsterdam's canals.[9][10][11]
History
[edit]On 5 October 2018 a shuttle was tested, using 6-person autonomous boats following a circular route linking Oosterdokskade with the NEMO science centre, a crossing where building a fixed bridge is impossible as it is a through route for high-masted ships.
In 2019, the vessels learned how to dock together and organizing to support specific tasks.
In 2020, the first passenger-capable configuration was completed. Roboat III is 4 metres (13 ft) long and can carry and adapt to up to 5 passengers.
Two full-scale units had been deployed by October 2021, becoming the world's first urban autonomous vessels.[12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ "Roboats ahoy: Amsterdam canals picked to test self-driving fleet". Reuters. 2017-09-19. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ Condliffe, Jamie. "Fleets of robotic boats are getting ready to set sail". MIT Technology Review. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Roboat Q&A". AMS Institute. 2016-09-18. Archived from the original on 2016-09-25. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Roboat / MIT Senseable City Lab". senseable.mit.edu. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ Monks, Kieron. "Self-driving boats unleashed in Amsterdam". CNN. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ Lott-Lavigna, Ruby. "Self-driving boats will soon be setting sail". WIRED UK. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Amsterdam to get driverless 'roboats' on canals". Sky News. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Get ready, self-driving boats are coming, too". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Zelfvarende boten in Amsterdamse grachten". nrc.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Self-Driving Robot Boats, Coming Soon to Amsterdam". CityLab. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ "Self-driving boats will be tested on Amsterdam's canals next year". The Verge. 2016-09-19. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
- ^ Lavars, Nick (2021-10-28). "MIT deploys first full-scale autonomous Roboat on canals of Amsterdam". New Atlas. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
- ^ Gordon, Rachel. "Self-driving Roboats set sail in Amsterdam canals". Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Retrieved 15 November 2021.