Tag Archives: Water transport

VS-9 Redefines Sustainable Marine Transport with Electric Hydrofoiling Innovation

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Vessev, a leader in sustainable marine technology, has launched the VS-9 electric hydrofoiling vessel, set to redefine premium water transport. By merging cutting-edge America’s Cup technology with sleek marine innovation, the VS-9 promises a smooth, quiet experience akin to flying. Designed to enter commercial service with New Zealand’s largest ferry operator, Fullers360, the vessel will begin transporting passengers later this year.

Designer: Vessev

Eric Laakmann, CEO of Vessev, highlighted the significance of this debut, saying, “This marks the beginning of a global shift toward sustainable energy in maritime transport. With 33 million vessels worldwide, only a fraction are sustainable. The VS-9 and our collaboration with Fullers360’s NetZero Maritime team are key to advancing new marine technologies.”

Transforming Water Transport

At nine meters long, the VS-9 blends state-of-the-art hydrofoil technology with passenger comfort, capable of transporting up to ten passengers at a cruising speed of 25 knots. Its retractable hydrofoils lift the vessel above the water’s surface, easily cutting through waves and creating a frictionless, smooth experience. Laakmann explained, “Flying above the waves, the VS-9 offers the comfort of a large vessel on a much more agile platform.”

The vessel’s design revolutionizes the traditional boating experience, eliminating the need for larger ships to counteract waves. The VS-9’s hydrofoils minimize this dependency, allowing the smaller, more efficient boat to provide a premium, stable ride. With its energy-efficient design, the VS-9 lowers operational costs and reduces energy consumption by up to 95% compared to fossil fuel-powered boats.

Exterior Design: Built for Performance

The VS-9’s exterior design emphasizes both performance and aesthetics. Crafted from carbon-fiber laminates, the lightweight hull is built for efficiency and durability. The sleek, minimalist lines flow seamlessly into the retractable hydrofoils, allowing the vessel to glide above the water or retract the foils for shallow-water navigation. Laakmann remarked, “The simplicity of the exterior is deliberate—every curve and surface has been engineered for aerodynamic and hydrodynamic performance.”

Inspired by aerospace and nautical designs, the VS-9’s exterior maintains its clean and streamlined form while ensuring real-world resilience. Whether skimming over calm bays or navigating rougher seas, the vessel’s silhouette speaks to both functionality and elegance.

Interior: Designed for Luxury

Inside, the VS-9 is no less impressive. The cabin, designed with premium materials such as leather and refined textiles, seats ten passengers comfortably in an open, spacious layout. Each seat is ergonomically designed to support long rides, while the panoramic windows offer an uninterrupted view of the water, enhancing the serene environment. The wraparound glass design ensures that passengers can enjoy the scenery without obstruction, immersing themselves in the peacefulness of the journey.

“Our goal for the cabin was to create an experience akin to private jet travel,” said Laakmann. “The wraparound glass and quiet ride make passengers feel like they are gliding above the water rather than cutting through it.”

The spacious interior combines functionality and style, providing passengers comfort and connectivity to the natural surroundings. The thoughtful design extends to the sound-dampening materials, making the VS-9 an almost silent ride, even at cruising speeds.

Advanced Technology Meets Sustainability

Vessev’s engineers, using expertise from America’s Cup-winning boats, developed a hydrofoil system equipped with high-precision flaps that adjust automatically to sea conditions, optimizing stability. This allows the VS-9 to perform reliably in larger seas. “Our hydrofoil technology gives us high control authority, making the vessel capable of handling more challenging conditions while remaining efficient,” Laakmann said.

The retractable foils allow for versatile operation in deep and shallow waters, simplifying maintenance and transport. “We designed the retractable foils to maintain pristine condition and maximum performance over time, even in varying water conditions,” Laakmann added.

Leading the Way for Future Vessels

Mike Horne, CEO of Fullers360, expressed excitement over the VS-9’s environmental and economic impact. “We aim to be 100% electric or hydrogen-powered by 2040, and hydrofoiling is a critical part of that vision. The VS-9 is the first fully electric passenger vessel operating in Auckland,” Horne said.

This technology is scalable, and Vessev is already developing the VS-18, a larger version capable of carrying 100 passengers. “The VS-18 will use the same technology but on a larger scale, opening up more possibilities for marine transport,” Laakmann revealed.

Charging Capabilities and Efficiency

One of the key advantages of the VS-9 is its ability to operate with existing electric infrastructure in most marinas. This eliminates the need for costly charging station installations. “We designed the VS-9 to work with the existing charging infrastructure. During sea trials, we’ve used a standard AC 3-phase connection for multiple test sessions daily, making it easy for operators to adopt electric vessels without added costs,” explained Laakmann.

With Fullers360 as the launch partner, the VS-9 is set to transform marine transport in Auckland and beyond. “Auckland is becoming a model for green marine technology. The VS-9’s success will influence the global adoption of sustainable hydrofoiling vessels,” Horne added.

A Revolutionary Passenger Experience

Passengers aboard the VS-9 can expect a unique travel experience, with quiet, smooth gliding across the water. The hydrofoils eliminate the typical rolling sensation of traditional boats. Horne explained, “The VS-9 delivers a feeling closer to flying than sailing, creating an unmatched onboard experience compared to conventional vessels.”

With sea trials demonstrating the vessel’s capabilities, Laakmann believes hydrofoiling vessels like the VS-9 will soon become the new standard in water travel. “Within a decade, hydrofoiling vessels will no longer be rare—they will redefine how we move across the water,” Laakmann concluded.

In every sense, the VS-9 sets a new bar for marine transport, combining eco-friendly technology with thoughtful design, making it an electric vessel that offers a glimpse into the future of water travel.

The post VS-9 Redefines Sustainable Marine Transport with Electric Hydrofoiling Innovation first appeared on Yanko Design.

This futuristic Polestar automotive design is the solution to every modern nomad’s wanderlust!

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Polestar is a futuristic, luxury travel concept designed out of the modern nomad’s need for unrestricted traveling and socializing.

While COVID-19 is still making its rounds, from the pandemic, we’ve learned that time spent in nature and connecting with other humans are priorities of everyday life. Holed up in our tiny apartments, all we want is to kick down the door and run to the nearest lakeshore or mountaintop.

With travel restrictions making it near impossible to come and go as we please, designers have worked on solutions for autonomous travel. 21-year-old designer Kang Sik Park conceptualized an aerial automobile that can also float on water to bring groups of people to faraway places where they can take in nature and enjoy a futuristic concept of vacation.

Dubbed Polestar, Kang Sik Park envisioned their futuristic automobile dressed in an optic white aluminum-like facade, which is accented with strips of sleek black metal for a refined touch. Symmetrical on all sides, the exterior of Polestar is used to represent connectivity and the coming together of humans for a shared interest.

Hover blades slide out from the vehicle’s roof to lift Polestar off the ground into the air. Additionally, Park equipped Polestar with progressive technology such as GPS and facial recognition to help modernize the airborne vehicle.

Inside, the same sleek look is maintained and can transform into a warmer, golden-hour-soaked ambiance to appeal to each user’s changing tastes. The Polestar is outfitted with contemporary amenities that are sure to please the modern traveler, such as rotating lounge chairs, food and drink services, as well as panoramic windows to provide plenty of views of the natural world.

Designer: Kang Sik Park

The post This futuristic Polestar automotive design is the solution to every modern nomad’s wanderlust! first appeared on Yanko Design.

This electric autonomous ferry is the future of emission-free public water transportation!

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Mobility and transportation are rapidly changing to become greener in an effort to reduce carbon emissions. From electric cars to sustainable yachts, talented teams are working in every transport category to provide a better alternative. One such project is the CAPTN Vaiaro which proposes two autonomous electric ferry concepts that offer a glimpse into the future of the industry. The team of designers developed CAPTN under the coordination of Kiel University in Germany because the concept was designed keeping the port city of Kiel in mind.

The city of Kiel is quickly turning into a bustling hub which is posing a challenge for city planners who want to make the public transportation network more efficient while still being aligned with the city’s climate goals. They are anticipating a spike in the ferry traffic between the west and east shores of Kiel Fjord and therefore need a solution that can keep up with the growth while also running on clean energy. Those two conditions are fulfilled by CAPTN Vaiaro, which stands for Clean Autonomous Public Transport Network, as it is specifically designed to integrate the ferry crossing into the city’s clean mobility network. The two different elements – the ‘floating platform’ and the ‘passage’ – allow for rapid carriage of buses and cyclists/pedestrians across the Fjord.

Using electric propulsion, the ferries make public transportation quiet and emission-free with electricity from renewable sources. The autonomous operation also will increase the frequency of service significantly. The ferry is designed to be available on-demand at all times, and operation is possible around the clock, every day, with integrated smart tech. The design addresses the entire mobility chain, specifically connections between bus and ferry services, to increase efficiency.

CAPTN’s team goes beyond the designers and includes several scientists and working groups from Kiel University, Kiel University of Applied Sciences, Muthesius University of Fine Arts & Design, as well as representatives from politics, administration, and industry. It also was one of the winners of the iF Design Talent Award 2020 and the jury described this project as one that takes a highly creative and innovative approach to public transport, imagining how a car-free city can nonetheless span two sides of a major waterway. CAPTN’s motto is ‘making innovations visible,’ and it shows!

Designer: Simeon Ortmüller, Vincent Steinhart-Besser, Yigang Shen, Jingyue Chen, and Tobias Gehrke

This electric, self-driving, smart ferry is the Tesla of public transport boats!

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Traffic is only increasing every day in cities and if they are located in a coastal area then using waterways is one of the most efficient ways to cut down on road congestion. Along with managing the flow of vehicles on land, the climate crisis has accelerated the need for smart, climate-friendly mobility solutions worldwide. Zeabuz, a Norwegian company, has stepped up to the need of the hour and will be launching a self-driving ferry next year!

The ferry will carry 12 passengers and will operate like an elevator where all you have to do is press a button to summon it. Zeabuz’s zero-emission ferry was first developed by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 2018 and the 2021 launch shows Norway’s commitment to developing climate-conscious transport systems. This ferry will be autonomous, “Autonomy fits like a glove with electric vehicles. This enables better control, optimal operation, safety, and maintenance. Our autonomy solution is world-leading and can enable self-driving ferries that safely manoeuver among other boats, dock to the quay by themselves and handle passengers safely,” says Asgeir J. Sørensen, director of NTNU’s research center on autonomous maritime operations, NTNU AMOS. Apart from wirelessly charging at docks, it is safe to assume that solar panels will be the way to go with a backup battery for winter months when the sunshine is not enough in Norway. Many major cities can replicate this solution to fit their water channels and maybe even boost tourism while reducing the vehicle count on the roads during rush hours.

As we try to build a sustainable future, boats needed a technological upgrade to give the people a greener alternative to road transport. The Zeabuz ferry reduces operation costs which also makes it economical – and on that note, riding this ferry will be free in Trondheim which will encourage more people to adopt emission-free commutes. The electric ferry will operate along the canal that connects the port and the city center of Trondheim and will charge itself when docked. This cuts the travel time from 15 mins to 1 minute as passengers won’t need to walk between the two locations. Keeping the urban audience in mind, the ferry also has the capacity to transport passenger bicycles. Water transport was popular before the invention of cars, and while it largely only benefits coastal communities, they are also the most densely populated which puts them first in line for emission-free transport solutions. Electric self-driving boats like these can truly reduce the traffic in big cities and improve air quality as well as reduce noise pollution levels.

Designers: Zeabuz and NTNU