The Miami Boat Show took place last weekend and there was one all-electric little boat that got everyone’s attention: the Bubble Taxi, built and developed by French startup SeaBubbles.
The Bubble Taxi rides above 16 inches above the water thanks to an innovative, experimental hydrofoil which, in a way, helps the boat ‘fly’ over the water.
The boat was developed as a way to reduce traffic congestion by taking advantage of the open waters. The boat would ideally charge at a (preferably solar) power station, thus eliminating the need for gas and, in addition, the hydrofoils also reduces drag, allowing the Bubble Taxi to consume less energy.
The water taxi also has sensors that measure water conditions which in turn automatically adjust the boat’s flaps. It can be driven for up to 1.5 hours and comes with a 5 hour battery recharge, but these numbers are just for the prototype – the finished model will be able to ride across the water for 2.5 hours and will recharge in just 35 minutes.
For now, SeaBubbles will be building boats for customers in Russia and the Netherlands but also, reportedly, a U.S buyer purchased no less than 10 of these boats and that’s quite an investment, considering the Bubble Taxi comes with a price tag of no less than $200,000.
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