According to REGENT, some 40% of the world’s population currently lives in coastal communities. Developed specifically for this market segment, the seaglider is an all-electric wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) vehicle capable of travelling the sea in one of three modes – floating on its hull near the dock, foiling on its hydrofoils at up to 40 knots (kts) as it comes in and out of port, or flying above the waves at 160 kts while cruising to its destination.

When in flight, it operates a few metres off the surface of the water, relying on the ground effect phenomenon, flying on a cushion of air. It combines the high speed and comfort of an airplane with the low operating cost of an electric vehicle (EV), says the engineering company. Seagliders differ from past WIGs due to their hydrofoils, distributed electric propulsion and aerospace fly-by-wire controls. These elements enable safe harbour operations, increased wave tolerance and a comfortable passenger experience, says REGENT.

At the heart of the seaglider design, engineering and development toolset is the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio, which according to Mike Klinker, CTO and cofounder of REGENT is helping to minimise administrative overheads and provides significant cash flow benefits that are vital to any start-up company.

REGENT’s flagship seaglider, the 12-passenger Viceroy, will be able to service routes up to 180 miles with existing battery technology and routes up to 500 miles with next-generation batteries, all via existing dock infrastructure. Additionally, its operation as a WIG effect vehicle above the water enables maritime testing and certification. ‘This is an efficient pathway to entry-into-service, allowing customers to experience high-speed, zero emission coastal mobility sooner than electric aviation options, while maintaining similar levels of safety,’ claims the company.

Full-scale prototypes are to begin sea trials by 2023, with a view to the seagliders entering service by 2025.