'seabubbles' electric flying water taxi with hydrofoils shuttles people between lakes in france

electric flying water taxi transports passengers in france

SeaBubbles, a five-seater electric flying water taxi with hydrofoils, has begun operating its commercial shuttle service in France, the first electric hydrofoil approved for passenger transport in the country as the startup claims. First unveiled in 2017 as a pilot electric hydrofoil water taxis in Paris then launched its testing phase the following year, SeaBubbles has now reached a new goal as it becomes a commercial service open to public.

It has already embarked its first passengers at the pier in Veyrier-du-Lac and crossed towards Annecy les Marquisats in early July 2023, and between July 1st and August 31st, 2023, the Agglomération du Grand Annecy and SeaBubbles Mobility Solutions are teaming up to carry out and look further into the for the first zero-emission experimental electric hydrofoil as public transportation in the city.

There will be 8 round trips per day between 9am and 7pm over the next several weeks as the operation of the electric flying water taxi progresses, transporting passengers between Veyrier-du-Lac and Annecy les Marquisats. ‘Our eco-designed boats are the perfect setting for unique events and out-of-the-ordinary meetings, all while enjoying a breathtaking view of the water, with no noise and no pollution,’ SeaBubbles states.

images courtesy of SeaBubbles

Seasubbles suspended using hydrofoils

By the looks of its design, the passengers of SeaBubbles’ electric flying water taxi with hydrofoils can have scenic landscapes through the series of design elements that allow the doors and windows to be opened at varying angles. The doors can open sideways first before they can be lifted upwards, projecting the image of a winged watercraft. The overhead roof can also be flapped open to enable more airflow, let the natural sunlight spill inside, and provide passengers with unobstructed views of the outside.

Following the launch of the SeaBubbles, the company is now gearing up to develop SmartBubbles, a bigger sibling of the electric flying water taxi. It is still suspended over hydrofoils, but this setup is now retractable plus the interior can accommodate between eight to 12 people at once. The wider water vehicle is currently being tested and validated on Lake Annecy with SeaBubbles’ hopes of making its first flights in the coming months. A second version of SeaBubbles is also underway whose upgrade points out its fast-charging feature, getting its battery fully powered in just four minutes.

it has already embarked its first passengers between Veyrier-du-Lac and Annecy les Marquisats in early July 2023

Sailing as ‘zero-noise, zero-emission’ transportation

The ranges of electric flying water taxis from SeaBubbles are mounted on inverted T-shape foils which are operated by a dynamic control system. The foils are divided into flaps, similar to those found on airplanes, and the actuators automatically alter the flying height and counteract the water vehicle’s rolling, pitching, and yawing motions. The side sensors assess the flying height and send flight stability data to the onboard computer. This program, designed specifically for the boat’s hull, uses an inertial device to regulate the flaps on the foils in real-time.

The SeaBubble is revolutionizing sailing, both in terms of sensory pleasure and carbon footprint. Its ‘zero-wave, zero-noise, zero-emission’ transportation solution is both passenger- and ecologically friendly, making it ideal for usage in cities and protected regions. The SeaBubble is as subtle as a bubble gliding over water and mirrors what might be the thrusting movement of a flying fish, drawing inspiration from nature’s richness and offering an alternative technical and eco-friendly mobility experience to the public.

there will be 8 round trips per day between 9am and 7pm over the next several weeks from the time of publishing this story