Roboat, the Amsterdam-based startup developing autonomy systems for transport over water announces a step towards scaling up operations. Ynse Deinema, CEO and co-founder, is handing over the reins to Joshua Jordan. Roboat was founded in 2023, and since then the company’s growth has been led with full dedication by Ynse.
Ynse: “I’m proud of the team and the technology we’ve built together, but after four years, I’d like to work where I live and be closer to my family in Friesland. Joshua has the experience and drive to take Roboat further, and I have every confidence that he will.” The existing leadership team remains otherwise unchanged: Jonathan Klein Schiphorst continues as CTO and Rens Doornbusch as CPO.
Joshua Jordan has been with Roboat from the very beginning, back when it was still a research project. Combining over a decade in AI and software startups with his heartfelt optimism, he is uniquely positioned to bring Roboat’s vision to the world and take the company to the next level.
Autonomy empowers the transport of people and goods
The change in leadership does not change what Roboat stands for: a future in which autonomy empowers the transport of people and goods. Roboat’s skipper-support systems are already operational on ferries sailing the IJ. Last summer, Roboat piloted the first logistics demonstration with an autonomous barge sailing through Amsterdam center.
Joshua: “I believe autonomy will fundamentally change transport over water. With its technology, Roboat has already proven that this is no longer a vision for the future, but something that can be deployed today. My role is to put that promise into practice at greater scale”. To accelerate this phase, Roboat is currently raising capital to further invest in technology development and market rollout. Roboat is in talks with partners, operators, and parties in the logistics chain who share the company’s vision and want to help shape the future together.
About Roboat
Roboat develops autonomy systems for safe, efficient and scalable transport over water, for both passenger and goods transport. Smart sensors and software are used to support crews in their navigation tasks. Years of research and application of the latest technology are combined into solutions for work boats, ferries and cargo vessels. Roboat’s tech helps GVB Veren in Amsterdam to improve their operations by supporting the skipper (link) and serves as solution for autonomous urban logistics over water (link). After piloting full end-to-end solutions such as the Ferry of the Future in Paris (link), Roboat is now focusing on bringing higher levels of autonomy to more operations, such as transport of Amsterdam waste.
