The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) has announced the launch of a new company, Zeabuz, that will build mobility solutions to reduce emissions of vehicles using waterways.

The climate crisis means that there will be great demand for smart, climate-friendly mobility solutions worldwide. NTNU has been researching ship control and autonomy for many years, and the Norwegian industrial adventure concerning dynamic positioning of ships started at NTNU. Today, this has given rise to a multimillion dollar industry centred in Norway.

Zeabuz will sell autonomous mobility services to both cities and settlements along the coast, and will ally with strong Norwegian and international partners in designing and building the ferries themselves. The Zeabuz ferries will be small, electric and on-demand.

“Norway has a complete maritime cluster and together with NTNU’s world-leading expertise in digitalisation, automation and autonomy, we can create a new industrial adventure,” said Bjørn K. Haugland, CEO of Skift Business Climate Leaders and chairman of the new company.

“Our autonomy solution is world-leading and can enable self-driving ferries that safely manoeuvre among other boats, dock to the quay by themselves and handle passengers safely. We work with DNV GL, the Norwegian Coastal Administration and the Norwegian Maritime Directorate to test two prototypes in Trondheim. The unique technology has been developed at NTNU and will be made available to the company,” explained Susanne Jäschke, interim CEO of the company.

“Autonomy fits like a glove with electric ferries. This enables better control, optimal operation, safety and maintenance,” stated Asgeir J. Sørensen, director of NTNU’s research centre on autonomous maritime operations, NTNU AMOS.

The new company is established by NTNU through NTNU Technology Transfer AS, a number of NTNU researchers and Bjørn K. Haugland. Among the NTNU researchers are the serial entrepreneurs Asgeir J. Sørensen (Marine Cybernetics, Ecotone, Eelume), Tor Arne Johansen (Marine Cybernetics, Scout Drone Inspection, UBIQ Aerospace) and Egil Eide (3D radar). The company originates from NTNU AMOS and the departments of Marine Technology, Engineering Cybernetics and Electronic Systems and has received key support from the Norwegian Research Council’s program FORNY as well as NTNU Discovery. NTNU Technology Transfer has been responsible for business development and project management.

Zeabuz is now seeking partners and talent who want to join the team and enable emission-free mobility on waterways.

Source: VPO Global