Dutch startup Roboat secures €550k to transform urban waterway transport

Funding boost for autonomous city logistics

Roboat, a Dutch startup, has raised €550k in funding from LUMO Labs, investors known for backing other local ventures.. This latest investment news follows previous funding from Delft Enterprises. The new capital will create new employment options within the company and enable Roboat to solidify its position in the realm of autonomous city logistics and inland waterways shipping. 

Founded in 2023, Roboat is a spin-out from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS). The company aims to revolutionise inland waterway transportation with advanced autonomous navigation systems, allowing ships to autonomously perceive, navigate, and perform complex tasks.

Roboat's AI-powered system is designed for efficient operation in congested urban and inland waterways. It can be used on new or retrofitted vessels for tasks like passenger transport, goods delivery, building materials transport, and waste collection, reducing the carbon footprint of city logistics. Shipping companies can enhance their fleets with Roboat’s advanced tech, which enables ships to navigate and perform tasks autonomously. 

Roboat in Amsterdam

Roboat’s steady growth and commitment to innovation is a testament to the vitality of the Amsterdam startup ecosystem. The region hosts numerous local startups like Picnic and BUNQ that have quickly evolved, driven by the city's dynamic tech community, entrepreneurial spirit, and quick adoption of emerging tech. As Roboat continues to innovate, reduce urban traffic congestion and lower carbon emissions, the future of urban transportation can try to become more sustainable.

Read more about the innovation landscape in the Netherlands