An eco-friendly autonomous vessel will begin transporting passengers through the waterways of Rio de Janeiro in December 2022. The new urban mobility project is the result of a partnership between travel platform Hotel Urbano – Hurb and TideWise, a Latin American autonomous boat company.
The new partnership will explore several of the city's water routes to connect tourist attractions and major hubs, such as Sugarloaf Mountain and downtown Rio, as well as the Península in Barra da Tijuca and the Jardim Oceânico subway station.
The vessel will transport Hurb employees along the passenger route between the company's headquarters in Península da Barra da Tijuca and the Jardim Oceânico subway station. The round-trip routes will take about 20 minutes each way, with a capacity for 15 people and bicycles. The vessels are expected to open to the general public between March and June 2023.
“The proposal is aligned with global practices, as there is a worldwide consensus that regulations for using this new technology should be similar, ensuring safe operating conditions,” explains TideWise CEO Rafael Coelho, a naval engineer and autonomous vessel specialist.
Autonomous vessels can be operated locally or remotely; there is no lack of control, but rather the use of automation for repetitive tasks.
The system will be 100% electric and therefore zero-emission. Photovoltaic panels installed on both the vessel and the docking pier (located in Península)—which will serve as a charging station—will help power the batteries, further reducing the initiative's environmental impact.
In addition, the technology will use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect oil and pollution in the water during navigation, assisting regulatory agencies with environmental control measures.
Named Arya, the boat uses laser sensors (LiDAR), radar, and camera systems. These Awa vessels will be able to navigate safely, sharing the same waterways as conventional boats.
Communication is carried out via satellite, 4G, or a radio link with a range of up to 18 km, allowing operators to monitor and control the vessel precisely and safely in real time.
According to its creators, the boat will offer a new urban mobility option capable of saving people time and integrating with the existing urban fabric. Similar vessels are already beginning operations in other countries, such as the “Roboat” in Amsterdam, Netherlands. In Brazil, the Awa will be the first model in operation, using TideWise's expertise.
According to Hurb founder and Co-CEO João Ricardo Mendes, the goal is for the boats to offer a positive experience for the company's employees while drawing attention to the need for local preservation . “In addition to convenience, the initiative is completely sustainable and will draw attention to environmental preservation through the visibility we expect it to achieve,” Mendes says.
Via CicloVivo.
This article was written by ArchDaily Team. The translation is powered by AI.
