Described by its inventors as a “horizontal elevator,” the Crosswater autonomous water taxi is a self-driving pod that has the primary purpose of making waterway travel cheaper, faster, safer and more convenient.
The vehicle has the capacity to transport up to 15 users at a time, like an airport carrier. It prefers bodies of water and moves calmly from one platform to another.
Crosswater, autonomous water taxi
Crosswater has a stated goal of reducing congestion on roads and bridges. This is why the autonomous water taxi is designed to work mainly on rivers, lakes, islands and canals.
Crosswater is promoting a faster transition to sustainable energy. the system is self-driving, all electric and powered by solar energy and batteries. This makes the autonomous water taxi completely carbon neutral, and cancels out the CO2 emissions of trucks, trains, cars and boats that would be used alternatively.
The crosswater system also seeks, where employed, to improve the quality of life. From reducing travel times to more comfortable travel, from fighting pollution to creating job opportunities, the autonomous water taxi can provide a positive impact on communities in several ways.
I would see it very well on Lake Garda, to lighten the many boats that alternate.
The real masterpiece, however, would be the Venice lagoon. Can you just imagine what it would look like?
Gondoliers don't mind me, also because they are equally ecological. Crosswater would replace many noisy and polluting motor boats, contributing if possible to an even more magical atmosphere in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Here is a video showing Crosswater in action.
