Norwegian transportation startup Hydrolift Smart-City Ferries, which operates under the name Hyke, has launched a new passenger shuttle service in the city of Fredrikstad in Østfold county in eastern Norway.
The ferry connecting the communities of Bekkhus and Vaterland, the aptly named Shuttle 0001, is the first example of a new series of all-electric, autonomous commuter vessels designed for operation in a number of major cities worldwide.
The ferry features an all-electric drivetrain and a highly-efficient hull and thermal system. Solar panels are mounted on the rooftop to supply additional electricity for the onboard systems.
The vessel itself and docking systems follow a standardised design so that it is compatible with existing infrastructure in its area of operations.
The exterior is streamlined while the interior is spacious and air-conditioned. Access is possible for passengers with bicycles and even for wheelchair users and other people with limited mobility.
The design of the vessel itself is modular to enable the operator to deploy with a lower maximum passenger capacity should the need arise.
Norway's the Eker Group, via its companies Eker Design and Hydrolift, designed and built the new ferry.
