Helsinki Launches Revolutionary Self-Driving Water Taxi Service: Be Part of History!

Callboats, the pioneering company in the autonomous water taxi industry, is revolutionizing transportation between Helsinki and a nearby archipelago. By offering self-driving electric boats, Callboats aims to reduce costs and address the shortage of captains.

Over the past year, Callboats has been testing captained electric services through a smartphone app. Now, they are transitioning to autonomous operation, with remote captains overseeing multiple boats and handling complex scenarios. According to CEO Peter Ostberg, autonomous water taxis can cut up to 60-70% of the costs associated with hiring captains. With one captain overseeing five taxis, the company can increase profitability and reduce prices for customers.

While autonomous water taxis still require a crew member on board due to regulations, the boats are equipped with advanced cameras and sensors to monitor the surroundings, avoid obstacles, navigate the waterways, and automatically operate gangplanks during pickup and dropoff.

These 10-seater boats are powered by four 10-kW electric pod thrusters, allowing them to reach a maximum speed of 9 knots. With a standard 60-kWh battery, the boats offer approximately nine hours of endurance at a slower speed. Additionally, they have a 1.5-kW solar array on the roof and can be charged through an 11 kW 3-phase charger. The initial routes include trips between Helsinki and the Kotiluoto, Villaluoto, and Malkasaari islands, covering short distances of a few miles per round trip. Callboats aims to improve access to these islands by going autonomous, as there is a shortage of skippers willing to handle repetitive work.