In the canals of our city, autonomous boats are being tested under the name Roboat. This innovative project explores how self-driving vessels can contribute to urban logistics, transportation, and waste collection. The boats can navigate independently, perform tasks, and even work together in swarms.

Roboat is a collaboration between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute). The project investigates the possibilities of autonomous technology in a busy urban environment like Amsterdam.

The boats are modular and can be used for various purposes. They can transport people or goods, collect waste, or serve as floating platforms for events. The system is scalable, meaning the fleet can be easily expanded to meet changing needs.

The Roboat project is an example of how Amsterdam functions as a ‘living lab’ for innovative technologies. The canals provide a safe, controlled environment for testing and developing autonomous technology further.