A French startup for sustainable mobility, SeaBubbles, unveiled the world premiere of its life-size version of the SeaBubble, an electric flying boat powered by hydrogen, at the Cannes Yachting Festival. SeaBubbles provides a zero wave, zero noise, zero-emission navigation experience for passenger transport.
According to the company, SeaBubble defines a new generation of boats, which are designed to offer an unprecedented, futuristic nautical experience while preserving the natural ecosystem.
The SeaBubble is an eight-meter-long and 3.5-meter-wide vessel that can accommodate up to 12 passengers, depending on the configuration. The flying boat is powered by a hybrid system composed of hydrogen fuel cells and an electric battery pack. It is lifted by a combination of “Inverted T-foils,” which ensure stability and sensational navigation.
Combined with automated and retractable foils, the SeaBubble offers two and a half hours of autonomy, allowing it to cover 50 nautical miles (90 km) at 18 knots (35 km/h) with only 4 minutes of recharging in a hydrogen station (3x 3.2 kg of hydrogen at 350 bars).
The interior design and the roof are inspired by the automobile industry. The capsule offers comfort in urban and inter-urban commuting thanks to its cabin that enables passengers to ride comfortably in all seasons.
In addition, this silent, zero-emission flying boat comes equipped with a fly-by-wire system; depth, speed, and temperature sensors; a self-draining cockpit; and a ventilation system, AC, and heating. Other features include anti-fouling, personalization, an audio system, high-quality seats, and more.
The innovation of SeaBubbles is strongly tied with supply infrastructures and goes hand-in-hand with the development of a hydrogen industry and local ecosystems to which it contributes. In spring 2023, the company plans to unveil the first pilot line, and the real-life test phases will begin.
