"giant barrel" is clickbait. It's a (unpowered) boat that externally looks a bit like a barrel.
"measures about 10 feet long and seven feet wide and includes a small kitchen and bed, and space for storage."
"measures about 10 feet long and seven feet wide and includes a small kitchen and bed, and space for storage."
In particular, it lacks any conventional boat elements like a method of propulsion or steering.
He is clearly milking the label for all it's worth though, the GPS tracker ID was "diogene" (French for Diogenes of Greek philosopher living in a barrel fame) and his sponsors included several manufacturers of wine barrels (https://www.boutes.com/), who apparently also helped build the thing.
In that case I am slightly disappointed that the voyage was undertaken without the barrel also containing a pack of feral dogs. The resulting footage would be worth it if nothing else.
Maybe allow choice of current, like where it forks?
If it had a tendency to easily roll it would be like trying to live in a giant tumble dryer.