Roboat, a Dutch startup contributing to safe, efficient, and sustainable transport and improved urban liveability, by automating waterways, has raised €550k from LUMO Labs, which backed Whispp and SHIFT Invest. This follows the previous funding from Delft Enterprises.
The proceeds will help Amsterdam’s Roboat to establish a position in autonomous city logistics and inland waterways shipping and expand the team to achieve company goals.
AI-powered waterways system
Founded in 2023, Roboat is a spin-out from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS).
The company aims to transform inland waterway transportation with advanced autonomous navigation systems, enabling ships to autonomously perceive, navigate, and perform complex tasks.
Its AI-powered system is developed to excel in highly complex urban and inland waterways, where heavy traffic conditions are the norm. The Roboat autonomy system can be applied to new builts and also to retrofit commercial vessels for various applications, including passenger transport, goods pick-up and delivery, including building materials, and waste collection, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of city logistics.
Shipping companies can outfit their fleet with a Roboat system to support the day-to-day operation. By using advanced technologies, Roboat is able to create ships that can perceive, navigate, and perform tasks on their own.
It provides a range of features such as situational awareness, decision support, obstacle identification and avoidance, automated docking and mooring, and autonomous sailing. These services are offered under a subscription and can be easily tweaked to the requirements of the operator.
Andy Lürling, Founding Partner LUMO Labs, said: “Cities worldwide are struggling with transporting people and goods over their congested roads. Waterborne transportation is a good alternative to cars and trucks, but shortage of personnel and relatively high OpEx is currently posing a bottleneck. Roboat’s technology offers a solution based on autonomous navigation. This market is expected to grow tremendously, since we need to rethink our transportation systems, making it more versatile and more sustainable.”
Quint van Honk, SHIFT Invest, added: “We are impressed by what Roboat has accomplished so far. In addition, Roboat’s autonomous shipping technology stimulates sustainable waterborne transport by addressing key issues in the sector and enables more fuel-efficient sailing. Therefore, we are proud to be on board.”
What do we think about Roboat?
The startup works the aim to revolutionise inland waterway transportation with its AI-powered autonomous navigation systems. Recent funding will help Roboat establish a strong position in autonomous city logistics, reduce urban traffic congestion, and lower carbon emissions in city logistics.
