The Flying Ship Technologies Corp. and PROBOTEK yesterday announced that they have agreed to collaborate and jointly integrate PROBOTEK’s proprietary technologies and software into Flying Ship’s ground-effect vessels. They said their goal is to enable smart, safe, and green autonomous and semi-autonomous operations with real-time vessel system monitoring and reactive collision avoidance.
“PROBOTEK’s experience integrating operationally proven artificial intelligence and BVLOS [beyond visual line-of-sight] control operation systems will be a critical asset for Flying Ships,” stated Bill Peterson, CEO of Flying Ship. “The Flying Ship team is 100% committed to safety and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through our all-electric vessels. We look forward to working with PROBOTEK to integrate secure and reliable navigation systems that are interoperable with the European maritime logistics network.”
Flying ships and drones to make fast deliveries
Flying Ship Technologies is developing autonomous ground-effect vessels that fly just over the water. The Leesburg, Va.-based company claimed that they are 10 times faster than boats and are one-quarter of the cost to maintain and operate compared to airplanes.
Flying Ship's vehicles are based on Soviet-era Ekranoplan technology that harnesses the aerodynamic principle of ground effect to create unmanned maritime shipping vehicles that fly just over the water. These patent-pending flying ships include hybrid-electric propulsion and can decrease vehicle cost, improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, said the company. It added that its vessels can provide fast, inexpensive delivery of time-critical, price-sensitive goods.
Corfu, Greece-based PROBOTEK said it is an innovative leader in the Internet of Drones (IoD) sector, building an ecosystem of enterprise systems. The integrator said it uses cutting-edge proprietary technologies that exploit drone capabilities with the help of machine learning and mission-critical software.
“Our mission is to empower companies to leverage the dynamics of drones/UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] and integrate them in their everyday operations,” said PROBOTEK.
“Flying Ship is an exciting and innovative entrant into the logistics market,” said George Delaportas, CEO of PROBOTEK. “Our capabilities in artificial intelligence and mission-critical software platforms are a natural fit for their autonomous ground-effect vessels.”
Partners look to Greek, European market
The companies said their agreement will help them both pursue potential customers and investors more effectively.
“Flying Ship and PROBOTEK will work together on financial support to develop the vessel in Greece,” said Gus Bateas, executive vice president and chief operating officer (COO) of Flying Ship. “Our ultimate goal is to enhance connectivity among the Greek islands and the mainland through safer and more reliable on-time cargo delivery to an increased number of delivery points.”
“The huge number of Greek islands creates strong demand for a distributed maritime logistics network that is fast, cost effective, and green,” said Panagiotis Apostolopoulos, COO of PROBOTEK. “There’s an incredible business opportunity to improve the quality of life for people through better delivery options for perishable goods, like groceries, medicine, and retail items.”
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