French company SeaBubbles has announced the launch of SmartBubble, its new ‘flying boat’ model designed to carry up to eight people at a speed of 16 knots with zero emissions and improved energy efficiency.
The launch follows the successful operation of its 4-seater The Bubble model on a public line on Lake Annecy in France, which has so far carried hundreds of passengers.
The new SmartBubble features retractable foils equipped with automatic flaps that allow the vessel to ‘fly’ at low speeds across the water, which the company says can save up to 40% of the energy required for transport.
Alongside the launch, SeaBubbles has also announced the acquisition of Neocean technology, to accelerate the development of flight control expertise, specifically on ‘inverted T’ foils. The flight control system is a central element of the vessel, designed to ensure stable flight by dynamically and autonomously managing the mechanical inclination of the flaps on the trailing edges of the foils.
“Foils significantly reduce the drag of our boats, allowing our hydrofoils to move more easily and with less energy than a conventional boat: a considerable gain in cost and energy,” said Virginie Seurat, CEO of SeaBubbles.
“The acquisition of Neocean marks a decisive turning point and prepares us for our industrialisation phase. We are ready to redefine the pleasure of boating and offer boats that comply with increasingly stringent environmental standards, while offering unique sailing comfort – zero noise, zero waves, zero emissions.”
