Electric boat startup Navier is making waves with its hydrofoiling watercraft, as it becomes the first company to launch an official pilot program for its innovative technology. Partnering with the well-known payment platform Stripe, Navier is set to bring commuters from the outskirts of San Francisco to the bustling downtown area in a seamless and eco-friendly way.
By taking part in this program, Stripe will pay Navier to transport their employees from Larkspur, where many of them reside, straight to their office located near Oyster Point. With notoriously heavy traffic in the area, this commute can take up to an hour by car and often involves passing through the crowded central SF streets. But with an electric hydrofoiling boat, commuting time can be reduced to just 30 minutes, providing a smoother and quieter ride for passengers.
The N30, Navier’s 6-passenger watercraft, officially debuted in 2022 after a rapid development period. Although it may seem like a small step, this boat alone will not make a significant impact on traffic. However, as Navier plans to add 5-7 more vessels to their fleet, they hope to eventually make a dent in congested roadways.
Yet, this pilot program’s ultimate goal is not to operate on a large scale but to identify potential obstacles and solutions to expanding their services. Navier has been exploring the west coast for the perfect location, and it seems that Stripe and San Francisco’s Bay Area have presented the most promising opportunity.
“Over the next few months, our goal is to identify the most critical commuting routes from Oyster Point and gain insights into commuter behaviors. This will help us fine-tune our services to alleviate traffic congestion in coastal cities while addressing issues like pollution and lost work hours,” said founder and CEO Sampriti Bhattacharyya.
Furthermore, Bhattacharyya explains that this pilot program will also allow them to enhance their onboard systems, including automated collision detection and autonomous navigation technologies. These advancements will prove to be increasingly beneficial as Navier sets its sights on building larger vessels, such as the 30-passenger model currently in development. While fully autonomous boats are still in the distant future, this ferry will require only one person to operate instead of the current three, running entirely on electricity. This concept presents immense potential savings for companies that currently run these routes, but it is essential to establish trust in technologies like auto-docking and animal detection first.
If this pilot program proves to be successful, other coastal cities experiencing similar commute issues may take notice and implement similar programs. In fact, in a city like Seattle, where traffic is a persistent issue, it may just be a matter of time before there is a renewed focus on nautical transit.
“Our initiative focuses on transforming these journeys into seamless, efficient, and enjoyable experiences,” said Bhattacharyya. “We’re introducing a water shuttle service equipped with amenities that enhance on-the-go productivity, such as desks and Wi-Fi. This service aims to encourage commuters to switch from individual car travel to a more pleasant, productive, zero-emission alternative.”
