Each week, we spotlight a cool innovation recommended by some of the industry's top tech writers. This week's pick is a boat that flies.
A "flying" electric boat uses hydrofoils to glide across even turbulent water, said Sarah Perez at Tech Crunch. SeaBubbles, an electric-boat startup, showed off its prototype four-person water taxi in Miami this week. The hydrofoils raise the hull out of the water, helping the boat "consume less energy by allowing it to travel rougher waters with reduced drag." Three main sensors, including a gyroscope, automatically monitor the water height and adjust flaps that keep the boat afloat.
The company's co-founder, Anders Bringdal, is a four-time windsurfing world champion. With partner Alain Thébault, he envisions the boat as a fast maritime solution to urban traffic congestion. SeaBubbles says the savings from ditching gasoline make up for the yacht-size $200,000 sticker price.
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