Roboat
Roboat is an Amsterdam-based maritime technology company providing autonomous and assisted vessel control systems for inland waterway commercial fleets, including public transport ferries, urban logistics barges, and workboats across Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersAmsterdam, Netherlands
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Roboat does
Roboat is an Amsterdam-based maritime technology company that provides autonomous and assisted vessel control systems for inland waterway commercial fleets. The company originated as a 2016 research program between MIT and the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute), spun off as an independent company in 2023, and now operates with a team of approximately 11 people serving public transport operators, urban logistics companies, and marine technology firms across Europe. Named deployments include GVB's Amsterdam IJ ferries, the Holland Shipyards Group 'Ferry of the Future' demonstrator in Paris, Praxis Automation workboats, and the Zoev City electric cargo barge.
The core product, the Roboat System, is a unified vessel automation platform combining sensors (Lidar with up to 400m range, Dual RTK GPS, AIS, radar, and cameras), compute (marine panel PC with encrypted connectivity), and control interfaces (thruster I/O at 10 Hz). The platform is organized into three capability layers—Assist (situational awareness and docking support), Automation (dynamic positioning, autocrossing, autodocking), and Autonomy (gradual rollout to full mission execution). Notable technical features include lidar-based resilient localization that maintains position under bridges, in locks, and through GPS jamming or spoofing; <0.5m position accuracy and <0.5° heading accuracy at 10 Hz; and a fleet-wide learning architecture in which capabilities mastered by one vessel are inherited across the entire fleet. Integration partnerships with Praxis Automation, Krautler, VETUS, Torqeedo, Holland Ship Electric, Royal van der Leun, Ouster, Cradlepoint, and Alphatron allow the system to retrofit onto existing vessels without replacing incumbent onboard equipment.
Roboat generates revenue through a combination of one-time system sales (hardware installation and commissioning, described as taking weeks rather than months) and recurring software subscriptions (Fleet Manager for live monitoring, Blackbox Replay, and automatic reports). The company employs an enterprise field-sales motion with 'Talk to sales' calls-to-action and contact forms capturing fleet size, issuing custom quotes under multi-year contracts; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market explicitly emphasizes a gradual autonomy approach, building trust scenario by scenario with crews, insurers, and regulators, and avoiding vendor lock-in while retaining full data ownership for customers.
Roboat firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Roboat
- Legal name
- Roboat
- Website
- https://roboat.tech
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Roboat is an Amsterdam-based maritime technology company providing autonomous and assisted vessel control systems for inland waterway commercial fleets, including public transport ferries, urban logistics barges, and workboats across Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Roboat industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Vessel Automation Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational Services to Shipping (488330), Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electrical, Automation & Control Systems (Power, PLC/SCADA, Navigation/Comms Integration) (TLAHAMAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Ship Docking/Undocking & Drydock Towage (TLAHAHAD)
Keywords
Where Roboat is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Amsterdam
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Roboat business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Vessel Automation System Sales: Sale and installation of vessel automation systems including sensors, compute hardware, and controls for retrofitting commercial vessels including ferries, workboats, barges, and tugs. Supports diesel, hybrid, and electric drivetrains.
- Fleet Software Subscription: Ongoing software platform including Fleet Manager for live monitoring, Blackbox Replay, and Automatic Reports. Commissioning takes weeks with no vendor lock-in and full data ownership for customers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Complete automation system with all capabilities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
Roboat product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Roboat provides a unified vessel automation system that retrofits commercial inland waterway vessels (ferries, workboats, barges, tugs) with sensors (lidar, dual RTK GPS, AIS, radar, cameras), marine-rated compute, and thruster controls to enable assisted and autonomous operations such as autocrossing, autodocking, and dynamic positioning. The offering combines a one-time hardware/software system sale with a recurring fleet software subscription including the shore-based Fleet Manager dashboard.
Product overview
Roboat offers a single unified vessel automation system—the Roboat System—that serves as a complete platform for commercial fleet automation. The core system includes sensing (lidar up to 400m, dual RTK GPS, AIS, radar, cameras), compute (marine panel PC with encrypted connectivity), and control (thruster I/O at 10 Hz) components, with three capability layers: Assist (crew-in-command with system support), Automation (hands-off execution of complex maneuvers), and Autonomy (full mission execution from mooring to mooring). Key modules include Roboat Docking Assist for situational awareness, Dynamic Positioning for station-holding, Autocrossing for route planning and traffic awareness, and Autodocking for automated berthing. The shore infrastructure includes Fleet Manager for real-time fleet monitoring and Blackbox Replay for incident review. The system is designed for gradual autonomy—earning capability scenario-by-scenario with crews, insurers, and regulators on board.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Roboat System Unified vessel automation platform combining sensors (lidar up to 400m, dual RTK GPS, AIS, radar, cameras), marine panel PC compute with encryption, and 10 Hz thruster I/O controls for retrofitting commercial fleets. Supports diesel, hybrid, and electric drivetrains across ferries, workboats, barges, and tugs, installed in one pass with over-the-air improvements.
- Autonomous Ferries Solution Turnkey automation system for public transport passenger ferries that handles repetitive crossing, docking, and station-holding tasks while the crew supervises. Retrofits existing vessels to address crew shortages and rising operational costs, with the skipper able to take over at any moment.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5% fuel savings fleet-wide
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Roboat
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Roboat technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability7 records
Feature11 records
Roboat partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, major and supporting.
- Zoev CitycoreRoboat system deployed on Zoev City electric cargo barge for control and situational awareness in zero-emission urban logistics. Partnership enables autonomous cargo transport over water for city deliveries.
- GVB (Gemeentelijk Vervoerbedrijf)coreINSIGHTS platform deployed across IJ-series ferries for live fleet monitoring, energy tracking, and vessel status. ASSIST system piloted on IJ ferries for situational awareness and docking support. GVB is Amsterdam's public transport operator with Roboat systems sailing daily.
- Praxis AutomationcoreIntegration partnership where Roboat's system commands Praxis Automation's existing dynamic positioning hardware. Provides vessel control and situational awareness on working vessels, integrating with suppliers already on board without replacing existing systems.
- Holland Shipyards GroupflagshipStrategic co-development partnership for the 'Ferry of the Future' - world's first autonomous, fully electric, and 3D-printed passenger ferry. Holland Shipyards Group built the 3D-printed hull while Roboat provided the automation system. Project operated in Paris.
- VNF (Voies Navigables de France)majorProject partner on the Ferry of the Future in Paris. VNF (French waterways authority) collaborated on the autonomous electric 3D-printed passenger ferry demonstrator that operated in Paris.
- MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)flagshipFounding research partner in the Roboat research program launched in 2016. MIT collaborated with AMS Institute to develop initial autonomous vessel technology. Relationship continued as Roboat became independent company in 2023.
- AMS Institute (Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions)flagshipFounding research partner in the Roboat research program launched in 2016. AMS Institute collaborated with MIT to develop initial autonomous vessel technology in Amsterdam. Relationship continued as Roboat became independent company in 2023.
- NVIDIAsupportingTechnology partner providing computing platforms for vessel automation systems. NVIDIA logo appears in Roboat's project network alongside Microsoft, MIT, and AMS Institute.
- MicrosoftsupportingTechnology partner in Roboat's project network. Microsoft logo appears alongside NVIDIA, MIT, and AMS Institute indicating cloud or technology partnership.
- Royal van der LeunsupportingListed as a proven integration partner on the system page, indicating compatibility and integration with Royal van der Leun marine systems and equipment.
- OdidosupportingConnectivity partner providing marine connectivity solutions. Odido logo appears in the project network alongside Microsoft and NVIDIA.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Roboat competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sea Machines Robotics: US-based autonomous vessel technology company delivering computer-vision and autonomy systems for commercial marine vessels — directly comparable in product category (autonomy retrofits for working boats) and target buyer (commercial fleet operators).
Broad incumbents
- Kongsberg Maritime: Maritime technology incumbent supplying dynamic positioning, vessel automation, and autonomy solutions including the Yara Birkeland autonomous ship program — comparable on vessel automation and inland/coastal commercial vessel customers, with a much larger portfolio.
- Wärtsilä: Global marine technology incumbent offering SmartShip autonomous vessel solutions, vessel control systems, and emissions/safety tech — overlapping with Roboat in vessel control, automation, and digital fleet management for commercial operators.
- ABB Marine & Ports: Major supplier of ship automation, propulsion, and digital solutions for the maritime industry — comparability is strongest on vessel control and automation systems retrofitted onto commercial ships.
Emerging players
- Maritime Robotics: Norwegian-based developer of autonomous surface vessels and unmanned navigation systems — directly comparable target market (commercial marine autonomy) with an emerging player profile and similar regional focus to Roboat.
- Saildrone: US company building and operating a global fleet of wind and solar powered autonomous surface vessels for ocean data — comparable autonomous marine technology but focused on uncrewed data-gathering rather than retrofitting crewed commercial vessels.
- Massterly: Norwegian autonomous ship operations joint venture (Wilhelmsen/Kongsberg) operating as a shore-to-shore autonomous vessel operator — comparable in maritime autonomy commercialization with a focus on crewed vessel-to-uncrewed transition journeys.
- AutoNaut: UK-based designer and operator of unmanned surface vessels for ocean and coastal autonomy use cases — comparable in vessel autonomy technology stack though with a different vessel/hull format than Roboat's retrofit focus.
Regional players
- Praxis Automation: Dutch-headquartered dynamic positioning and vessel automation hardware supplier — Roboat's own integration partner, demonstrating direct competition for onboard vessel control systems in the European inland/coastal market.
Others
- BMT Group: Maritime engineering, design, and technology consultancy with work in vessel autonomy and fleet management — comparable as an adjacent capability provider to commercial shipping operators evaluating automation investments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Roboat social profiles
Digital presenceRoboat compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Roboat financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Roboat leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Roboat funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Roboat M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Roboat
What does Roboat do?
Roboat provides a unified vessel automation system that retrofits commercial inland waterway vessels (ferries, workboats, barges, tugs) with sensors (lidar, dual RTK GPS, AIS, radar, cameras), marine-rated compute, and thruster controls to enable assisted and autonomous operations such as autocrossing, autodocking, and dynamic positioning. The offering combines a one-time hardware/software system sale with a recurring fleet software subscription including the shore-based Fleet Manager dashboard.
Is Roboat a public or private company?
Roboat is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Roboat founded?
Roboat was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Roboat based?
Roboat is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Roboat make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Vessel Automation System Sales are the primary driver. The others are fleet Software Subscription.
Who are Roboat's main competitors?
Sea Machines Robotics is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Kongsberg Maritime, Wärtsilä and ABB Marine & Ports. Emerging players are Maritime Robotics, Saildrone, Massterly and AutoNaut. Praxis Automation is listed as a regional player. BMT Group is listed as an others.
Does Roboat have an API?
No public API is recorded for Roboat.
What industry is Roboat in?
Roboat's product category is Maritime Vessel Automation Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAMAE, Electrical, Automation & Control Systems (Power, PLC/SCADA, Navigation/Comms Integration), with a secondary code of TLAHAHAD, Ship Docking/Undocking & Drydock Towage. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.