The Research and Development project by Haugesund Kommune aims to develop a national pilot for an autonomous zero emission city ferry. The test period will initially last for two years, in which the vessel’s autonomy technology will gradually introduce self-driving capabilities and reduction of crew.
Following the LOI agreement, Zeabuz will deliver the autonomy software onboard, equipping the ferry with the technology needed to safely conduct self-driving operations in complex traffic scenarios. The route will connect the city islands, make the recreational island Vibrandsøy accessible to the public, and is expected to boost local development, business and tourism in the area. To start it will travel between Haugesund Center, Risøy and Vibrandsøy. After the initial two-year test period, Haugesund Kommune intends to expand the route to also cover additional locations such as Karmøy.
Zeabuz is a spin-off from the leading research community for autonomous vessels at NTNU in Trondheim, renowned for pioneering the world’s first autonomous urban ferry prototypes.
Source: Zeabuz