Unmanned electric foilers to provide inter-island deliveries

The next time you're cruising on the West Coast of Scotland or running between the Channel Islands and spot something strange and military-like crossing your track, don't be alarmed - it may just be an Amazon delivery for one of the islands' residents.

- Miranda Delmar-Morgan

British autonomous system specialist BGI Engineering has developed a range of unmanned all-electric foilers specifically for transporting goods and deliveries back and forth between remote island communities.

Called SeaGlide, these 'Unmanned Surface Vessels' or USVs range in length from 4-6m (13-20ft) and can carry up to 250kg loads at speeds of 20 knots over 150 miles. And a hybridelectric variant is also being worked up that can cope with longer routes and heavier payloads.

SeaGlides are able to navigate and berth independently thanks to the latest BVLOS (beyond-visual-line-ofsight) autonomy technology. It integrates AIS, radar and optical sensors with advanced collision-avoidance and precision-docking software. They are also capable of linking up with cargo drones for end-to-end, zero-emission delivery networks that bridge gaps between land, sea and air infrastructure.