The Watch MULTI-PURPOSE AUTONOMOUS BOATS DESIGNED TO MAXIMIZE RIVER USE
LATITUDE
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have designed a fleet of low-cost autonomous boats, mainstream media outlets in the U.S. are reporting. The MIT vehicles, which 3D printers can output at about 60 hours per unit, have the maneuverability and precise control needed to function as self-guided water taxis in cities with abundant waterways. Rectangular hulls come equipped with sensors, microcontrollers, GPS modules, and other hardware. Potential beneficiaries that come to mind are Amsterdam, Venice, and Bangkok. But the pluses could
go beyond keeping tourists and commuters on the move without jamming the streets. The boats could be programmed to reconfigure themselves into structures like floating bridges or platforms for food markets. They could also monitor a city’s water quality and supply.
A NEW VOYAGE FOR 3D PRINTING Digital files to 3D-printed autonomous boat—an innovative technology may change the way we travel cities with major waterways. Below, a pool-sized version helps prove the technology.
-photo courtesy MIT researchers
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