A smart-hydrofoil pioneer bringing China to Port Hercule. Built by Shenzhen’s Y-H2O, Alaqua is a three-seat foiling vessel that lifts its hull clear of the water to cut drag, extend endurance and deliver a smoother, more efficient ride. With autonomous route perception and real-time posture stabilisation, it reaches up to 33 knots while redefining efficiency and comfort on the water, and competes in the SeaLab Class at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.
Y-H2O (Shenzhen) Technology Co., Ltd., founded in Shenzhen in July 2025 and incubated by Shenzhen INNOX, develops high-performance smart hydrofoils for consumer and industrial vessels. By combining advanced hardware with proprietary control algorithms, the team enables autonomous route perception and real-time posture stabilisation to improve efficiency and reduce energy use. Led by founder and CEO Wu Guan educated at the University of Genoa and the Polytechnic University of Milan, with further doctoral studies at the University of Kuala Lumpur the team brings over ten years of experience spanning vessel design, composites and intelligent control.
Alaqua is a next-generation smart hydrofoil vessel that redefines efficiency and comfort in maritime transport. Built on Y-H2O’s proven hydrofoil platform, the three-seat Alaqua reaches a top speed of 33 knots (about 66 km/h) while significantly reducing drag and energy consumption. By leveraging fluid dynamics to lift the hull above the water, Alaqua cuts resistance, doubles endurance in real-world conditions and delivers an exceptionally smooth ride that minimises motion sickness.
Engineered for versatility, Alaqua transitions seamlessly across scenarios from family outings and leisure cruising to short-distance coastal commuting. Its intelligent control systems enable autonomous route perception and real-time posture stabilisation, ensuring both safety and performance in diverse maritime conditions. In July 2026, Alaqua will represent China at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, competing alongside 43 teams from 21 nations in the SeaLab Class a platform for emerging energy architectures and floating laboratories for future maritime technologies.
Alaqua competes in the SeaLab Class at the 13th Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, 7–11 July 2026 in Port Hercule.
