The vast oceans and waterways have held an aura of mystery and allure for humankind since we first set out in makeshift rafts to explore the seas. With around 71% of our planet's surface covered with water, it’s a wonder why our waterways are so underutilized for transportation, especially when it comes to innovative technologies. After spending some time with Sampriti Bhattacharyya, the CEO and founder of Navier, it's evident that we're on the cusp of a new age in water transportation.

The underutilized blue highways

From coastal cities to bustling ports, waterways offer a massive opportunity for efficient transportation. However, in many regions, these pathways have been woefully underused, primarily because of the operational inefficiencies and the costs associated. Now, to be clear, San Francisco has a decent water public transportation system — for almost a year before moving to San Francisco I took the SF Bay Ferry to work, it was a wonderful experience and you could even buy a drink on the way back home. However, there is still so much untapped potential for the Bay’s and the world’s waterways.

By Sampriti’s estimation, if we could make the journey from Alameda to San Francisco (a land route notorious for its rush-hour congestion) by water using Navier's boats, we'd be looking at a mere 20-minute travel time as opposed to a stressful hour and a half by car. That’s not just a matter of convenience, but a radical redefinition of what commuting could look like.

Solving the electric energy problem with hydro foiling

Hydro foiling, for the uninitiated, is not just about boats that seem to ‘fly’ above the water. On a basic physics level, a hydrofoil is a wing-like structure attached to the hull of the boat. As the boat gains speed, these ‘wings’ lift the boat's hull out of the water, thereby significantly reducing drag. Think about it as an airplane taking off, but on water.

Navier’s design ensures that their boats literally rise above, about three to four feet from the water surface. This, in turn, allows the electric boat to operate at higher speeds with less energy consumption, tackling the electric range issue head-on. You spend way less energy pushing against water and get the benefit in increased range.

Sampriti is a force of nature

Navier’s progress wouldn’t have been possible without Sampriti, an ex-aerospace engineer with a history in underwater craft construction. Her story is one of perseverance, vision, and relentless drive. The kind of drive that sees her and her team up at 3 am, pushing boundaries and working hard to change the world.

What’s particularly inspirational about Sampriti isn’t just her first principles mind or her work ethic, but her origin story. Having grown up in India without the high-tech luxuries many in the Silicon Valley take for granted, her journey from there to the forefront of water tech innovation is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She didn’t have access to a laptop until she was 20…

My week in San Francisco, a tale of two cities

Just a few blocks from Potrero Ave in SF, I had a chilling encounter this week, being held up at knife point over dinner. It was the last place I expected something like this to happen, within a high end candlelit restaurant. San Francisco is grappling with its own demons, from crime to drugs. But amidst these challenges, it's individuals like Sampriti who shine a beacon of hope.

Rather than representing the city's problems, innovators like her symbolize the city’s potential to find solutions. Despite the issues that plague San Francisco, with people like Sampriti and her team at the helm of innovation, there’s an undeniable spark of hope. A testament to the fact that with the right vision and hard work, we can redefine not just cities but the very fabric of our societies.

Navier isn’t just a company; it's a promise of a brighter, more efficient future. It's about looking at our blue planet and seeing endless highways of opportunity. As we journey through this decade, here's to embracing audacious dreams, the spirit of innovation, and the relentless pursuit of a better tomorrow.

A huge thank you to Sampriti and the team at Navier for working to make this episode come together so quickly before your very exciting tour across the USA’s seaports.

Thanks for reading. Stay safe and keep on building the future,

— Jason