Flying water taxi starts carrying passengers in France

SeaBubbles' five-seat hydrofoil-equipped electric water taxi has begun commercial passenger service on Lake Annecy.

SeaBubbles flying water taxi will start carrying passengers from July 2023. Photo: Design Boom — SeaBubbles flying water taxi will start carrying passengers from July 2023. Photo: *Design Boom*

SeaBubbles is the first electric hydrofoil licensed to carry passengers in France. First launched in 2017 as a pilot electric hydrofoil water taxi in Paris and beginning trial operations in 2018, SeaBubbles has now reached its goal of launching commercial passenger services, Design Boom reports.

The vessel will pick up its first passengers at the port of Veyrier-du-Lac and sail to Annecy les Marquisats in early July 2023. From July 1 to August 31, 2023, the Grand Annecy association and SeaBubbles Mobility Solutions will collaborate to operate the zero-emission electric hydrofoil as public transport in the city.

Operating for eight hours a day for two months, the SeaBubble water taxi concept allows for sightseeing on the water without creating noise or pollution. This sustainable water transport initiative will reduce CO2 emissions on Lake Annecy by 100 tons, while also reducing congestion on shore. Passengers can enjoy the view thanks to the multi-angle doors and windows. The doors can be opened sideways before sliding upwards. The roof above can also be folded back to allow more natural light and wind into the cabin, allowing passengers to have an unobstructed view.

The company did not disclose many technical specifications of the vehicle. The 4- to 5-seater SeaBubbles is 100% battery-powered, traveling at a cruising speed of 22 km/h. It takes just 3 seconds to emerge from the water, and the 5 x 2.5 m boat uses an electric propulsion system and hydrofoils, which significantly reduce drag and improve speed. The vehicle is ideal for operating in areas that require low speeds and little disturbance on the water surface.

After introducing SeaBubbles, the company is developing SmartBubbles, a larger version of its electric water taxi. The next version still uses hydrofoils but with a retractable design and a capacity of 8-12 people. SmartBubbles are being tested and evaluated on Lake Annecy. A second SeaBubbles model is also nearing completion with many upgrades that allow the battery to be fully charged in just 4 minutes.

An Khang (According to Design Boom )

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