Marine autonomy startup Roboat appoints new CEO

Amsterdam-based startup Roboat, which develops autonomy systems for waterborne transport, has appointed Joshua Jordan as CEO. Jordan succeeds co-founder Ynse Deinema, who is stepping down from the role after four years.

Deinema is leaving the company’s leadership to work closer to his family in Friesland.

Roboat develops autonomy systems for passenger and goods transport over water. Its systems use sensors and software to support crews with navigation tasks, with applications including work boats, ferries and cargo vessels.

Deinema says: “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 rest of Roboat’s leadership team remains unchanged, with Jonathan Klein Schiphorst continuing as CTO and Rens Doornbusch as CPO.

Jordan has been involved with Roboat since its early research-project stage. He has more than ten years of experience in AI and software startups.

The company’s skipper-support systems are operational on ferries sailing on the IJ. Last summer, Roboat also piloted a logistics demonstration involving an autonomous barge in central Amsterdam.

“I believe autonomy will fundamentally change transport over water,” says Jordan. “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”.

Roboat is currently raising capital to invest in further technology development and market rollout. The company is also in discussions with partners, operators and parties in the logistics chain.

Roboat has previously piloted end-to-end autonomous transport solutions, including the Ferry of the Future project in Paris. It is now focusing on applying higher levels of autonomy to other operations, including waste transport in Amsterdam.