All of our beloved coastlines and bodies of water stand to benefit from the introduction of silent, electric boats and ships. Norwegian tech companies Zeabuz and Evoy have come together to unveil a groundbreaking idea aimed at simplifying, streamlining, and making maritime transportation more environmentally friendly. They are aiming to create self-driving electric boats.
As the maritime industry moves towards a decarbonized future, autonomous electric boats provide an efficient solution. Evoy is a global leader in high-output (120–400 hp) electric motor systems that can be adapted to a variety of boat designs. Meanwhile, Zeabuz is the leading global supplier of AI navigation technology and has already introduced the first autonomous, emission-free passenger ferry in history.
According to an email shared by Evoy, the two companies have signed an MOU for this project. The next step involves developing a test vessel that combines Zeabuz AI technology and an Evoy electric motor system. The test boat is set to be launched on the fjords in the summer of 2024 to study technical interoperability and demonstrate its functionality to the market.
This collaboration between the two Norwegian companies presents incredible possibilities for a wide range of boats, from ferry transport vessels to workboats.
Evoy and Zeabuz: Pioneering Electric Boating and Autonomy
In the next decade, transformative innovations in the maritime industry are expected to make boating more convenient, efficient, and environmentally friendly. Combining Evoy’s electric motor systems with Zeabuz’s autonomous navigation technology is a game-changer for the marine industry, benefiting everything from ferries and workboats to leisure boats.
Imagine embarking on a long summer holiday aboard your boat from Oslo, Norway, to Sweden’s Koster Islands. The silent, smooth operation of the electric boat gives you the perfect setting to fall asleep to the sounds of the ocean, making this scenario a near reality through the combination of electric boating and autonomy.
As all maritime sectors move towards a decarbonized future, autonomous electric boats promise a comprehensive and optimized solution. Evoy’s electric motor systems are designed to suit diverse commercial and recreational boats, while Zeabuz is at the forefront of autonomous navigation technology, having already launched the world’s first emission-free, autonomous passenger ferry.
“We see a tremendous opportunity in this partnership with Zeabuz. The future requires betting on electric vessels and AI now,” says Evoy CEO and founder, Leif Stavøstrand. “Self-driving electric boats deliver more flexible, energy- and cost-effective, and sustainable solutions across the board.”
A Virtuous Circle of Financial and Environmental Value Creation
The introduction of autonomy and electrification in the marine industry sets in motion a ‘virtuous circle.’ Although decarbonization represents a significant cost for many commercial boat operators, these two futuristic forces conjoin to optimize operational efficiency, delivering both financial and environmental value.