Nordic Edge, SAMS Norway and Maritime Cleantech have initiated a partnership aimed at taking Norway’s proud maritime history to the next generation.
ZAWAS, short for Zero-emission Automated/autonomous WAter Shuttles is a new national collaboration project Nordic Edge is involved in. It is a ground-breaking new initiative by three innovation clusters and partners from the maritime sector, academia and public sector in Norway. The project aims to take Norway’s maritime industry to the next generation – through transforming our waterways into rapid, zero-emission, autonomous public transportation transits. Laying the ground-work for new legislation and utilising new and existing technology and industry, autonomous water shuttles has the potential to become a the cost-efficient, environmentally friendly means of public transportation in urban areas.
The collaborating partners in ZAWAS have the technology, know-how and testbeds to build and pilot zero-emission autonomous water shuttles. Over the coming years the project partners will work together to establish a framework for the widespread use of autonomous water shuttles in urban areas around the world. This involves transitioning from pilot ferries to full-scale operational shuttles, developing the infrastructure for energy supply and working alongside maritime authorities to adapt legislation.
Project Partners:
Blueday Technologies, Brødrene Aa, Hydrolift Smart City Ferries, Maritime Robotics, Massterly, Zeabuz, ZEM, Westcon, Lawyers – Advokatfirmaet Simonsen Vogt Wiig
Project Initiators:
SAMS Norway – The Norwegian Business Cluster for Autonomous Mobility and Transport Systems NCE Maritime CleanTech – A World-leading Cluster for Clean Maritime Solutions Nordic Edge Cluster – The Norwegian Innovation Cluster for Smart and Sustainable Cities and Communities
ZAWAS is financed by Innovation Norway.
Invitation
A strong team of partners have united in ZAWAS and we are keen to invite more partners onboard. Reach out to Nordic Edge CEO if you are interested in joining: stig@nordicedge.org
ZAWAS in the Media:
The launch of ZAWAS was presented in the National Norwegian magazine Teknisk Ukeblad: Read the article here (in Norwegian). Heading: Autonome vannbusser skal bli eksporteventyr.
This week project partners and collaborators presented the potential of autonomous water shuttles in the newspaper E24. Read the article here (also in Norwegian). Heading: Norske byer som testarena for ny teknologi – nå har Bergen en stor mulighet.
Photo Credit: Zeabuz