The world’s first commercial autonomous passenger ferry has been unveiled in Stockholm, Sweden, powered by 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) powered by Tele2. The ferry named “M/S Estelle” has both a lower environmental impact and is more cost-effective than conventional ferries.
The ferry has been operating since June and Stockholm residents and visitors have already tested the world’s first self-driving passenger ferry connecting the city center with one of the city’s districts. The ferry is fully electric and has a capacity of 200 kWh, which is almost enough for a whole day’s operation. In addition, the ferry is equipped with solar panels on the roof, which provide up to half of the total energy consumption.
“This innovative and sustainable transport solution is a great example of how 5G enables new digital solutions that can be used to contribute to society and develop new business opportunities. With the help of 5G, it is possible to use new services and solutions that were not possible before, as in this case with new ways of moving. It is fantastic to be part of this innovative, sustainable transport solution and to see how 5G and IoT working together can change the way we travel in the future,” says Linda Ekener Mägi, business developer for Tele2 in Sweden.
“Tele2” provides a 5G-based IoT connection with very high speed, high reliability and ultra-low latency, or data retention, which allows the ferry to operate autonomously. The ferry has a large number of IoT sensors and control systems, and data is continuously sent to the “cloud”, which requires a reliable, high-capacity 5G connection. At the time of the ferry’s launch, there was a crew on board, but the goal is to drive completely autonomously and operate it remotely.
“Fully autonomous driving requires technology that is safe and able to respond quickly to changing conditions and obstacles on the water. That’s why we chose an IoT solution connected to 5G. The next step is to run ferries in several cities around the world, and there we hope to continue to work with Tele2 IoT, which has global connectivity capabilities,” says Carl Peterson, autonomy engineer at electric ferry company Zeabuz.
