Smart, efficient and innovative solutions are needed to optimize urban transport. What distribution and infrastructure technologies have vast potential in providing integrated logistics solutions for the city of Amsterdam? What role could waterway networks play with regard to the transportation of people and goods?
During the first Amsterdam Cumulus Park ‘explore event’, a group of creative thinkers from (mid)corporates, start-ups, academics, city officials and students gathered to explore the opportunities and the pitfalls of new possibilities in last-mile logistics; by using the canals in Amsterdam. Visitors were invited to discuss the opportunities and challenges of two innovative use cases: Roboat and Amsterdam Logistic Cityhub (ALC).
Autonomous floating vessels and an ultra-energy-efficient logistics hub
Roboat is the first major research program on autonomous floating vessels in metropolitan areas. Before the discussions with visitors took off, the Director of Innovation of AMS Institute, Stephan van Dijk, illustrated how the Roboat research program allows for creating dynamic infrastructure, transportation of goods and people, and environmental sensing on Amsterdam’s canals. To illustrate, Roboats could clear the canals from waste. The floating dumpsters can play a key role in source separation when other types of waste are added to the equation.