The electric hydrofoil boat featuring artificial intelligence (AI) was showcased on June 1 at the Venice Boat Show.
The Candela C-7 will be located at the Venetian Arsenal shipyard complex until June 6. This long-range boat has a range of nearly 93 km and can reduce water friction by up to 80% by rising above the water surface thanks to its hydrofoil system. This allows the boat to reach a maximum speed of 56 km/h.
The Candela C-7 hydrofoil boat testing in Venice. (Photo: Candela).
In fact, the C-7 has a range three times greater than most electric boats currently available. The computer-controlled hydrofoil system on the C-7 provides an almost completely silent driving experience and operates very smoothly, even in choppy conditions, according to the manufacturer Candela in Sweden. Leveraging experience from fighter jet technology and aircraft design, Candela has created the extremely lightweight yet sturdy C-7.
The computer-assisted control panel makes operating the boat as easy as steering a wheel, even in windy conditions and bad weather. The control unit includes a touchscreen interface connected to a cloud data system, allowing for wireless updates and remote maintenance to keep the C-7’s performance always optimized.
The bow of the boat is made from vacuum carbon fiber, making the C-7 significantly lighter than similar boats. Both the front and rear hydrofoils can retract, making the vehicle easier to transport and store, as well as operate in shallow waters.
The C-7 is particularly well-suited for navigating Venice’s canal system. The rising water levels caused by boat traffic are one of the main reasons for the erosion of Venice’s foundations and threaten the lagoon’s ecosystem. However, the hydrofoil system of this electric boat is quieter and does not disturb the underwater life while navigating the lagoon.
