Hanging ferry will soon transport people through Stockholm
In Germany, the topic of flying taxis has been discussed for a long time, but they are still largely science fiction. Sweden is one step ahead. At least, a hovering ferry is about to start operating in the capital Stockholm. It is CO2-neutral and travels at rapid speed.
An electrically-powered boat, approximately one meter above the water surface, is about to transport people for the first time on a ferry route in Stockholm. The model "Candela P-12" is set to take over the ferry service from October between the city center and an island in the western part of the Swedish capital. It is significantly faster than a conventionally operated ferry and emits no CO2 during operation.
The "Candela P-12" is equipped with three carbon fiber wings under the hull, called Foils, and a Lithium battery. Once it has gained sufficient speed, it lifts off and hovers over the water, as explained by Andrea Meschini, who leads research and development of the model at Candela. The stability of the boat is maintained through sensors that adjust the orientation of the Foils.
80 percent less energy required
When it reaches hovering mode, the water resistance disappears. The "Candela P-12" therefore causes minimal drag and achieves a very high speed of up to 55 kilometers per hour. According to Meschini, the energy requirement is reduced by up to 80 percent compared to a conventional boat.
Candela has a contract with the Stockholm Transport Authority SL. From October, a flying boat is expected to transport up to 30 passengers per trip within 35 minutes from the city center to the island of Ekero.
The technology used in the model already existed. Candela has been producing smaller flying boats for the leisure market to date. However, for the larger ferry, the boat had to meet a "whole series of standards to be seaworthy and safe for passengers", says Karin Hallen, Program Manager at Candela.
The groundbreaking "Candela P-12" hailing from Sweden, set to revolutionize transportation in Stockholm, is not just a ferry but also a hovercraft. It's set to be operated by the Stockholm Transport Authority SL, reducing travel time between the city center and island of Ekero to 35 minutes while emitting no CO2. Moreover, Stockholm's educational institutions, such as the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, have been instrumental in supporting the development of this advanced Swedish transportation technology, leveraging their expertise in aerospace engineering.
