Dec 18 2020
Buffalo Automation, leaders in AI-powered autonomous water transport, predictive navigation, and maritime safety systems, today announced the demo of the world's first fully autonomous, AI-driven water taxi concept vessel in Knoxville on the Tennessee River. Greycraft opens the door for cities nationwide to adopt this ground-breaking alternative form of transportation.
As individuals try to protect themselves during COVID-19, an unmanned water taxi de-densifies the number of people on the craft, adhering to social distancing and COVID guidelines.
Buffalo Automation also believes that AI - enabled boating and water transportation shouldn't be geared toward the top-tiered elite, it should bring future technology to the masses, democratizing both recreational and industrial water transport regardless of a person's level of boating expertise.
Greycraft is the only solar powered, autonomous vessel currently capable of carrying passengers and traversing busy waterways.
Using the newly released Mayday app, it can also be hailed much like Lyft or Uber. Buffalo Automation has made the possibility of using autonomous water taxis as a safe, reliable, environmentally friendly means of transport, a reality.
"From its inception, Buffalo Automation's goals have been to improve safety and decarbonize the world's maritime industry through the use of modern technology," explains CEO and Co-Founder Thiru Vikram.
"This test run was made possible because of like-minded local leaders who are open to exploring alternative transport models. Our demo run will solidify our commitment to providing the people of Tennessee a safe, clean energy means of transportation that protects their numerous blueways and natural resources. Running the demo of Greycraft on the Tennessee river is an exciting undertaking. We're happy that Knoxville officials share our vision and look forward to our impending launch."
Established in 2015, Buffalo Automation has amassed the largest continually learning maritime AI database of its kind - taking advanced mobility and technology to a new level - on the water.
The Buffalo Automation team continues to transform the fossil-fuel reliant maritime industry through advanced AI for autonomous transport and navigation, as well as solar-powered electrification of marine vessels.
The official launch of the fully operational Greycraft Water Taxi is targeted for early 2021 and will initially be cost-free for residents pending proper transportation permits.
Knoxville, Tennessee Mayor Indya Kincannon, a champion of green technology, is enthusiastic about the potential benefits of Buffalo Automation's river navigation innovation.
Tennessee boasts a beautiful, complex network of blueways, she says, and none are more important than the Tennessee River, whose headwaters are close to downtown Knoxville.
"The Greycraft test run is exciting and historic," Mayor Kincannon said. "We applaud companies exploring and investing in green technologies. As we move forward together, we need everyone's contributions - government, businesses, transit systems and individuals - to reduce greenhouse emissions. Recreation and transportation on blueways are a significant part of life here in Tennessee. A safer, solar-powered, autonomous water taxi service is a great example of a big idea and a new business model with potential to become a part of the long-term environmental solution across the nation."