Did you know that in 2050 10 billion people will live on the planet? Of all of them, 75% will live in cities. Without a doubt, it will be difficult to deal with this urban revolution. In addition, we must add the problem of pollution, which is one of the biggest killers in the world. In fact, it affects more than 100 million people. An incredible number, don't you think? Considering how bad the future paints for the inhabitants of Earth, we find it great that some entrepreneurs launch projects that aim to improve the environment, or at least not make it worse. It is the case of Alain Thébault, a French sailor who has teamed up with Swedish windsurfer Ander Bringfal to create a river taxi that does not pollute or make noise.
We are referring to Sea Bubbles, an ecological project that will be launched for the first time in Paris, specifically on the River Seine. Would you like to discover more details? Well you know what you have to do! Do not miss anything we tell you below!
Ecological roads
As you well know, there are many European cities that have grown on the banks of important rivers: Paris, Vienna, Prague, London ... These river currents sail boats daily. tourist from which not only a different vision of the city in question is obtained, but they also serve to move from one place to another. However, few, if any, of these modes of transport take care of the environment. For this reason, we like the Sea Bubbles project, which aims to turn rivers into a kind of ecological road.
Very ecological vehicles
As explained on the Sea Bubble website, these novel bubble-shaped river taxis are made of fiberglass and high-density foam, materials biodegradable. On the other hand, it is important to keep in mind that they work with solar energy, one of the most sustainable energies of the moment. It is also important to note that it does not generate large waves, as other types of vehicles do. Furthermore, they do not erode the river walls and are extremely quiet. Of course, we must not forget that Sea Bubble is safe and that it avoids jams.
At 30 kilometers per hour
Another peculiarity that is worth noting about the Sea Bubbles is that they reach 30 kilometers per hour. In this sense, it is important to take into account that some sheets are responsible for raising the hull from the water by 60 centimeters, which reduces the friction. At the moment, the idea is that each of these taxis can transport up to five people, in addition to the driver. Travelers must pay around 10 euros per project. As for the investment, it seems that they have managed to raise 500,000 euros to develop the project.
In different cities of the world
As Thébault has reported, this spring they will hold a public demonstration on the Seine, Paris. Specifically, they will test five Sea Bubbles installed at the foot of the National Assembly. How could it be otherwise, the Mayor of Paris has been very enthusiastic about this initiative. In fact, Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of the French capital, has financed the project as she is fed up with the pollution in the city. As the navigator has explained to The Telegraph newspaper, once the prototype is tested in Paris and the vehicles are fully developed, they will go into operation in London and Geneva. In addition, they plan to take them to New York and Florida. In fact, the inventors of Sea Bubbles aim to make them function like taxis over time, and even be present in fashion apps like Uber.
'Sea Bubbles' undertake new tests on the Seine (April 2024)
- Paris, rivers, transport, ecological tourism
- 1,230
