One startup in France, SeaBubbles, is trying to bring their flying water taxi to market, that is intended to become a riverboat taxi service, but their efforts are being heavily stunted by a web of French bureaucracy.
The taxi boat that they've designed is based off a design that broke a world record for speed sailing back in 2009 and the designer, Alain Thebault, wants to see that boat being used everyday on the water as a taxi service. The startup they've created, SeaBubble, is expected to raise tens of millions of euros by this fall but there is plenty of red tape in the way before they can accomplish the goal of seeing their boats service the market.
One of their main hurdles will be trying to navigate around the strict speed limits that have been set for water areas in France like the River Seine. The company might possibly be looking to get authorities there to raise the limit so that it can accommodate their design but for right now the company fears that the bureaucracy might take its toll and prevent them from exploring the idea in that region. They've admitted that if things get too complicated that they will be looking to go elsewhere and try starting up the taxi operation in a region that is more welcoming to the idea.
It took SeaBubbles almost 1 month just to register their company, a task which could've been completed within a few hours in other countries.
When it comes to getting a business launched and off the ground, the average wait is around 20 days but it's a lot shorter in many areas. New Zealand for example, is credited as the country where it is currently the fasted processing time and it's only 24 hours there on average to legally start a new business. Compare that to the average in the US which is said to be around 5 or 6 days, for Australia it's 3 days, and then on the other side of the spectrum you have areas like Venezuela where there is an astounding 144 days wait on average (roughly 5 months).
The water taxi that they've designed is a battery-powered taxi and it is able to reach up to 18 mph. The boat is lifted above the water with the use of a hydrofoil and the creators behind the idea say that they imagine their taxi service operating something like Uber. Eventually, it might be just as easy to hail a water taxi, with the use of a smartphone and app, in the same way that it is to order an Uber today.
If they aren't able to make things work in France then it might not be long before they go looking elsewhere. Company executives have admitted that there are about 5 other cities around the world which have already signaled their interest to explore the use of this water taxi as a part of their transportation systems.
Demonstrations with Seabubble's water taxi and the public in France are expected to take place in September.
Pics:
Reuters
Seabubbles via thelocal.fr/20170615/video-flying-water-taxis-tested-on-river-seine-in-paris
Sources:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/indyventure/water-taxi-startup-france-bureaucracy-stop-growth-alain-thebault-seabubbles-emmanuel-macron-a7909966.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/seabubbles-is-a-flying-water-taxi-that-surfs-above-the-water-2017-8
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/start-ups-10-fastest-countries-to-launch-a-business-around-the-world-a6754446.html
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-tech-idUSKCN1B40BO
https://www.thelocal.fr/20170615/video-flying-water-taxis-tested-on-river-seine-in-paris
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In some countries like ukraine it could take years. Maybe they should register offshore company and than just import these boats in france
very interesting,,
how far can the vehicle go and how many people can fit ?
including the driver it seats five people and has a travel range of 80-100 km
yes very good that,
what are the facilities contained in the vehicle!
I see the vehicle is very nice and feels very safe for long distance travel.
Is it real?
It's a cool thing
yup it's real! :)
Very interesting!! I Hope to see working!
Thanks for sharing!
thx for stopping by :)
Nice post! I am new to Steemit and I think this is a good example for post. As for that awesome looking water taxi I would love to own 1
or go for a ride on one for sure :)
This is very awesome! and eco-friendly... In our country that would be so very helpful to reduce traffic
i wouldn't mind trying one :)
Concept is great, looks very modern - but Uber, no sorry I don't agree, no chance. Of course they can make an application like uber, but generally speaking there are not so many countries where this kind of taxy is needed.
uber is completely different in that drivers own their own cars.. uber didn't buy the cars and then look for the drivers so i'm not sure how it would work with these taxi's and uber lol
Yay that's a fancy ride! This will be featured in my latest issue. Thanks for sharing @doitvoluntarily
cool!:) much thanks 👋
there's another company called Lilium that recently tested their actually-flying, electric, flying taxi. And it even takes off and lands vertically!!
sweet! thanks for letting me know :)
That is great alternative engy thank you
banggg
thanks for sharing!
I just upvoted and following your posts.I appreciate you if you also follow and upvoted my posts
@deshwal
Wooow. extraordinary. I like it very much.
IM STEEMIAN JAKARTA/INDONESIAN
How can we call it flying taxi.if there is an existing law regulate speed. The speed features of the seacraft remains unusable. Waste.
Great post. Do you think Uber might buy them? Seems like something they would want to add to there app.
Follow for Follow 😊
sounds great, thanks for sharing!!
wonderful.. very interesting
this looks fun enough that i would like to give it a try
WOW
thIS is coolest thing i ever saw
Good post Brather Don,t forget to vote back
nice
Wooooow. Fantastic👍
That looks crazy futuristic. Cool stuff