Norwegian tech pioneers Evoy and Zeabuz have joined forces. Their mission? To launch game-changing innovations that make mobility easier, leaner, and greener.
Evoy has been delivering fully electric and high-output motor systems for boats in the 20 to 50 feet category for a while, becoming the recognized market leader. Now, they have signed an MoU with Zeabuz, who provides autonomous navigation technology. By combining their technologies, they aim to accelerate a shift towards autonomous and electric boats, thus reducing the impact of several vessel categories.
The dream combination of autonomy and zero-emission propulsion is a main strategic approach in the green transition of transport, worldwide. Last year, Zeabuz launched the world’s first emission-free and autonomous passenger ferry in Stockholm. Interest has been blooming around the world, and multiple cities are rethinking how urban mobility works. Still, the shift from busy roads to autonomous and emission-free waterways needs more speed.
To help quicken things up, the two Norway-based companies have signed an MOU. The next part of the voyage includes developing a test vessel that incorporates Zeabuz AI technology and an Evoy electric motor system. The companies plan to launch their test boat on the fjords in the summer of 2024 to research the fundamentals of technical interoperability, followed by showcasing how it works to the market.
‘Norway has a strong ecosystem of maritime high-tech companies getting ready for commercialization outside of Norway. Both Zeabuz and Evoy are a part of it,’ says Zeabuz CEO, Erik Dyrkoren in a press release. ‘Now we’re doing it together, and I think it’s awesome.’
Integrating Artificial Intelligence
By integrating AI systems, Zeabuz forsee a more efficient crew, streamlining manual and repetitive tasks,reducing personnel numbers, and allowing staff to focus on higher-level operations with decreased risk. By combining autonomy and electrification the partners also aim to enhance operators’ insights into vessel and fleet health, facilitating predictive maintenance.
In the maritime industry, autonomy and electrification is predicted to create a self-reinforcing cycle of benefits. While the decarbonization process may present financial challenges for commercial boat operators, these technologies aim to optimize operational efficiency, providing both financial gains and environmental benefits.
Collaboration as a key element
With the new partnership, Evoy and Zeabuz set the stage for key advancements in multiple parts of the maritime industry. While projects such as Stockholm and in Norwegian cities like Haugesund focus on urban mobility, this new collaboration aims to increase the uptake of electric and autonomous solutions for vessels ranging from ferries to workboats.
Øystein Huglen, Head of Innovation and Project Development at Maritime CleanTech believes joint developments like these are vital to offer viable value propositions to the market:
“By joining forces, these two technology leaders are setting up for a more complete product offering, and successful commercialization also outside Norway. The market for autonomous fully electric passenger vessels will grow large – that’s for sure. We wish this new alliance the best and can’t wait to see more electric and autonomous vessels on the waterways”.
See the full pressrelease from the partners here.
More information on the urban city ferry in Haugesund Municipality? Read the story here.