The first self-driving boat - the "Roboat" - will sail for the first time in Amsterdam in 2017.
Maiden voyage —
The first self-driving boat - the "Roboat" - will sail for the first time in Amsterdam in 2017.
©MIT/AMS Institute
The vessel will provide an eco-friendly alternative form of transport for people and goods.<br /><br />It will also be equipped with a battery of sensors to monitor air and water quality.
Multi-function —
The vessel will provide an eco-friendly alternative form of transport for people and goods.

It will also be equipped with a battery of sensors to monitor air and water quality.
roboat
The design allows the Roboats to be connected together to form floating bridges and platforms, which can serve a variety of purposes including emergency relief and water-based entertainment venues.
Joined-up thinking —
The design allows the Roboats to be connected together to form floating bridges and platforms, which can serve a variety of purposes including emergency relief and water-based entertainment venues.
roboat
The team are modeling their technology on self-driving cars to avoid canal traffic, but have the added complication of needing to avoid collisions with underwater obstacles.
Traffic jam —
The team are modeling their technology on self-driving cars to avoid canal traffic, but have the added complication of needing to avoid collisions with underwater obstacles.
EVERT ELZINGA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The sensors develop technology used for MIT's sewer-trawling project "Underworlds," but goes further with more sophisticated and forensic data collection.
Underworlds —
The sensors develop technology used for MIT's sewer-trawling project "Underworlds," but goes further with more sophisticated and forensic data collection.
The field of self-driving boats is likely to expand with several other companies designing autonomous vessels. <br /><br />Rolls Royce are developing a self-driving cargo ship, although this has faced opposition from within the shipping industry.
Crowded field —
The field of self-driving boats is likely to expand with several other companies designing autonomous vessels.

Rolls Royce are developing a self-driving cargo ship, although this has faced opposition from within the shipping industry.
rolls royce
The rapid progress of self-driving cars such as Uber's autonomous fleet is providing knowledge for marine counterparts to build on, and can drive public acceptance of the concept.
Parallel parking —
The rapid progress of self-driving cars such as Uber's autonomous fleet is providing knowledge for marine counterparts to build on, and can drive public acceptance of the concept.
CNNMoney
It is hoped that the sensor technology used for the Roboat will drive improvements in air and water quality, including in countries such as India where dirty water is often deadly.
It is hoped that the sensor technology used for the Roboat will drive improvements in air and water quality, including in countries such as India where dirty water is often deadly.
Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images