In collaboration with the Amsterdam Institute for Advanced Metropolitan Solutions (AMS Institute), researchers at MIT Senseable City Lab have developed a dynamic bridge concept made of autonomous boats. Dubbed Roundaround, the project uses ‘Roboat’ units to connect one of the main waterways in Amsterdam, transporting hundreds of people per hour across the water and reducing journey times between the city centre and Marineterrein from 10 minutes to two.
“Roundaround is one of the first proposed applications of Roboat, our research in collaboration with AMS Institute,” said Carlo Ratti, director of the Senseable City Lab and professor of the practice at MIT. “The Roboat units of roundaround will autonomously respond to and learn from the dynamics of this Amsterdam waterway. As they operate, the system will become increasingly more intelligent and well-equipped to be implemented in other parts of the city and other cities worldwide.”
“Bridging this waterway truly challenges urban engineers, as it’s an important fixed-mast route for bigger boats,” said Stephan van Dijk, head of research at AMS Institute. “This makes it challenging to design an accessible bridge across this canal. With Roboat as a dynamic infrastructure, we can potentially connect the two areas and use Roundaround as a living lab to develop onsite experience on how autonomous boats behave on the Amsterdam canals. Involving citizens and visitors of the area, Roundaround would provide the research project with valuable continuous feedback loops.” 
The bridge works by the constant circular movement of the Roboat units. Once at the quayside, these electric boats are guided by rail to a platform with inductive charging infrastructure where they can pick up and drop off passengers. Platforms are furnished with benches for passengers along with interpretive material showing details and real-time updates about the Roboat project.
Equipped with cameras and lidar technologies powered by artificial intelligence, Roundaround’s multifunctional hulls are designed to transport people and goods across the canal while constantly evaluating the surrounding environment to maximise safety and efficiency. Transporting people and deploying a flexible infrastructure are just two of the possible uses of the Roboat platform. Other Roboat uses include collecting household garbage and transporting construction materials via Amsterdam’s canals, both of which could relieve pressure from the busy roads in the city centre. 
Via designboom | All images courtesy of MIT Senseable City Lab