Next year, self-steering boats capable of transporting people and goods will sail around Amsterdam's canals. This is a study to serve as an example for cities around the world.
The first Roboat prototypes will sail through Amsterdam's canals in 2017. 25 million euros have been allocated for the research. The programme was set up by AMS Institute. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Technical University (TU) Delft and Wageningen University & Research (WUR) are also collaborating in it. According to the parties, the possibilities for Roboats are endless. They can transport people and goods, but can also be used for environmental purposes.
"We will also engage in 'environmental sensing', for example by further developing underwater roboats that take measurements in sewage systems. This to detect disease-causing substances early. Or think of Roboats that rid the canals of floating waste or know what to do with the 12,000 bicycles that end up in them every year," says Arjan van Timmeren, Scientific Director of AMS Institute.
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