We are still waiting for autonomous cars, but autonomous boats are already here

(CNN) — Fully autonomous cars have been promised for years, but despite numerous road tests and technological advances, we are still waiting.

In 2016, Lyft predicted that most of its rides would be autonomous by 2021, while in 2017, General Motors said it would mass-produce fully autonomous vehicles even sooner. But creating a car capable of handling every eventuality that may arise on every road is proving more difficult than anticipated.

On the water, the situation is a bit different: with fewer vehicles in canals, rivers and open water than on roads, and without the problem of straying pedestrians, autonomous ships have fewer obstacles to contend with. Also, ships often follow set routes, for example sea lanes and ferry crossings, so navigation is easier than with a self-driving car.

There are already a number of autonomous boats operating in our waterways. Powered by advanced AI and sensor systems, these ships navigate, avoid obstacles and adapt to changing conditions in real time.

From cargo transport to search and rescue missions, to passenger ferries and tugboats, they can be programmed to perform complex tasks such as monitoring water quality, collecting oceanographic data or even assisting in offshore construction projects.

autonomous and electric

In the canals of the Netherlands, electric and fully autonomous Roboats for the transport and collection of waste have been tested. These autonomous ships developed by MIT and funded by the city of Amsterdam can even be combined to form floating infrastructure such as docks and bridges. The company behind them now hopes to build an autonomous ferry that will operate during the Paris Olympics in 2024.

In the United Arab Emirates, Dubai tested an autonomous ferry Abra, a wooden boat that can carry eight passengers, while in Norway, its creators, the chemical company Yara International, describe the Yara Birkeland as the first fully electric autonomous cargo ship. of the world. , and aims to promote a movement of goods that is more respectful of the environment.

Proponents say that by reducing human error, autonomous ships promise to improve safety and minimize accidents, while optimizing fuel consumption and reducing carbon emissions.

These are some of the bets of autonomous trips in the water:

Now that we can be autonomous on the water, how long will it be before we are also autonomous on land?