Articles tagged with "underwater-robotics"
China leads historic Arctic expedition with crewed, uncrewed submersibles
China has completed its largest Arctic Ocean scientific expedition to date, highlighted by the first manned deep dive beneath Arctic ice using the upgraded Jiaolong submersible. This mission, part of China’s 15th Arctic expedition, also achieved the world’s first coordinated operation between a crewed submersible and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in polar waters. The expedition, which departed from Qingdao in July and concluded in late September, involved a fleet including the icebreakers Xue Long 2 and Jidi, research vessels Tansuo 3 and Shenhai 1, and covered areas as far north as latitude 77.5 degrees. Researchers collected hundreds of biological, geological, and chemical samples, gaining new data on biodiversity, ocean hydrology, sea ice, and water chemistry. During over ten joint dives, the Jiaolong submersible and the ROV filmed each other and gathered 183 biological specimens such as shrimps, sea spiders, and sea anem
robotsubmersiblesArctic-expeditiondeep-sea-explorationremotely-operated-vehiclemarine-researchunderwater-roboticsInside Australia's $1.1B Ghost Shark Drone Fleet
Australia is investing $1.1 billion in the Ghost Shark XL-AUV program, a fleet of large, autonomous underwater drones developed in partnership with Anduril Industries. These AI-powered drones are designed to operate stealthily beneath the ocean surface for extended periods—weeks at a time—without any onboard crew. Their capabilities include intelligence gathering, surveillance of enemy fleets, and precision strike potential, all while maintaining silence and evading detection. Scheduled for deployment by 2026, the Ghost Shark fleet represents a significant shift in naval strategy for Australia, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. By offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional crewed submarines, these drones aim to provide a formidable deterrent and enhance Australia's maritime security posture. The program underscores a move toward leveraging autonomous technology to reshape naval warfare and influence the regional balance of power.
robotautonomous-underwater-vehiclesmilitary-dronesAI-powered-dronesunderwater-roboticsdefense-technologyunmanned-systemsChina debuts dive robot built to reach 20,000 feet beneath the ocean
China has successfully conducted the maiden trial of its self-developed remotely operated vehicle (ROV) Haiqin, designed for deep-sea exploration at depths up to 6,000 meters (19,685 feet). During the initial sea trial in the South China Sea on August 23, 2025, Haiqin completed multiple dives, reaching a maximum depth of 4,140 meters (13,582 feet). The trial validated the ROV’s stability, navigation, automatic heading control, and precise hovering capabilities, essential for operating in complex deep-sea environments. Prior to the sea trial, Haiqin had passed a 6,000-meter pressure test on land, and according to international standards, passing a 4,000-meter sea trial generally confirms its full-depth operational capability. Weighing 3.6 tons and deployed from the Zhong Shan Da Xue research vessel, Haiqin is equipped with high-definition cameras, robotic arms, sonar, and sensors to support a broad range of scientific
robotdeep-sea-explorationremotely-operated-vehiclemarine-technologyunderwater-roboticsscientific-researchoceanographySmartlet microrobots coordinate underwater using light signals
Researchers at Chemnitz University of Technology have developed “smartlet” microrobots—tiny, millimeter-scale cube-shaped devices capable of autonomous movement and communication underwater. Constructed from flexible, origami-inspired materials, each smartlet integrates solar cells, onboard processors, micro-LEDs, and photodiodes, enabling them to harvest light for power and use optical signals for communication without external controls. Propelled by bubble-generating engines that control buoyancy, these microrobots can coordinate their actions through light-based signaling, allowing synchronized group behaviors and decentralized control. This innovation marks a significant advance in creating distributed robotic systems that mimic collective intelligence found in nature. By combining energy harvesting and communication in a compact, wireless loop, the smartlets eliminate the need for bulky external equipment like magnets or cameras. The researchers envision diverse applications, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and soft robotics, where these biocompatible, untethered robots could perform complex sensing and adaptive tasks in fluidic
robotmicrorobotsunderwater-roboticsoptical-communicationsolar-cellsautonomous-systemsdistributed-intelligenceMicrochipped moon jellyfish may reveal secrets of the deep ocean
Engineers at the University of Colorado, Boulder, have developed microchipped "cyborg" moon jellyfish equipped with microelectronic devices that stimulate their swimming muscles, allowing researchers to steer them toward remote and inaccessible ocean regions. These biohybrid jellyfish, which are among the most energy-efficient animals and have existed for over 500 million years, could serve as living sensors to collect critical environmental data such as temperature and pH. This technology offers a novel way to study deep and difficult-to-reach ocean areas, which are increasingly important to monitor due to climate change impacts like warming and acidification. The research team, led by Xu, emphasizes ethical considerations in working with these invertebrates, which lack brains and nociceptors but can exhibit stress responses. The jellies have been thriving in lab conditions, with ongoing efforts to improve steering capabilities and use sustainable methods like biodegradable particles to study their swimming dynamics. Beyond oceanographic data collection, the project aims to inspire the design of
robotIoTenergyunderwater-roboticsbiohybrid-robotsenvironmental-monitoringclimate-change-sensorsWatch: Student‑built 3D-printed drone flies, dives, and swims
A team of applied industrial electronics students at Aalborg University in Denmark has developed a 3D-printed hybrid drone capable of flying, diving underwater, maneuvering beneath the surface, and resurfacing rapidly in a seamless sequence. Central to this capability is a variable pitch propeller system that adjusts blade angles for optimal performance in air and water—higher pitch for flight to generate airflow, and lower pitch underwater to reduce drag and improve efficiency. These propellers also provide negative thrust for precise underwater control. The drone’s smooth transitions between air and water, captured in continuous video footage, highlight the effectiveness of this straightforward propeller-based approach. The prototype was designed, fabricated using 3D printing and CNC machining, and programmed by the students over two academic semesters under the guidance of associate professor Petar Durdevic. While hybrid drones are not entirely new, this project stands out for its polished demonstration of rapid, repeatable air-to-water transitions without complex mechanical reconfigurations. The students envision applications in military
robotdrone3D-printinghybrid-dronevariable-pitch-propellersunderwater-roboticsaerial-roboticsKraken Robotics nets $115M for marine systems in public offering - The Robot Report
Kraken Robotics Inc., a Canadian marine technology company specializing in advanced subsea imaging and uncrewed maritime systems, has successfully closed an underwritten public offering, raising over $115 million by issuing more than 43.2 million common shares at $2.66 each. The capital infusion strengthens Kraken’s balance sheet, enabling the company to pursue strategic acquisitions, expand its global presence, and enhance value for customers and shareholders. Kraken’s product portfolio includes synthetic aperture sonar, sub-bottom imaging, lidar systems, and pressure-tolerant batteries designed for uncrewed underwater vehicles and subsea energy storage. In April, Kraken acquired 3D at Depth Inc., a subsea services firm specializing in high-resolution lidar imaging, which now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary under the Kraken brand. This acquisition complements Kraken’s existing technologies and supports its goal to transform subsea intelligence with integrated 3D imaging sensors and power systems. The company reported a Q1 2025 gross profit of $10.1
robotunderwater-roboticsmarine-technologysubsea-imagingsynthetic-aperture-sonarenergy-storagelidar-systemsUS Navy unleashes new mine-killing robot in first open-water test
The US Navy, in collaboration with Raytheon Technologies, has successfully tested Barracuda, a new untethered, semi-autonomous underwater robot designed for mine neutralization. During an open-water trial in Narragansett Bay, Barracuda demonstrated its ability to navigate underwater, communicate targets, detect threats, and identify various types of naval mines—bottom, volume, and near-surface—without physical tethers or continuous operator control. While the system operates autonomously for most of its mission, human operators retain final decision authority for mine neutralization, ensuring compliance with Department of Defense rules and operational safety. Barracuda represents a significant technological advancement in naval mine warfare, offering enhanced safety and efficiency by reducing the risk to sailors. Its modular design allows deployment from multiple surface or sub-surface platforms, supporting distributed maritime operations and expeditionary mine countermeasure units. The system is slated for low-rate initial production with operational capability targeted by 2030, aligning with the US Navy’s modernization plans
robotautonomous-systemsunderwater-roboticsmine-countermeasuresnaval-technologydefense-technologyRaytheonUS Navy’s new weapon to turn helicopters into sea mine killers
The US Navy has awarded a $10.5 million contract modification to BAE Systems for the delivery of MK64 Mod 0 explosive destructors and fiber optic spool kits for the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) known as Archerfish. This advanced underwater weapon system, deployable from MH-60S helicopters, unmanned surface vehicles, and small boats, is designed to neutralize naval mines with precision and speed, reducing mine clearance time by four times compared to traditional methods. Archerfish employs a dual-mode propulsion system and integrates a directed-energy warhead with advanced acoustic positioning, electronic scanning sonar, and visual imaging, transmitting live video and sonar feedback via fiber-optic cable to enable real-time operator control and precise target identification. Developed originally for the Royal Navy and adopted by the US Navy, Archerfish is a modular, lightweight, and cost-efficient system optimized for flexibility and rapid deployment. Its design includes an Insensitive Munition warhead for safer handling and storage, and a reusable inert training version to facilitate multiple practice exercises. The system’s compact size allows for increased mission endurance by enabling more weapons to be carried onboard. The contract, managed by Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), underscores Archerfish’s critical role in the US Navy’s airborne mine countermeasure strategy and highlights the growing importance of remote-controlled neutralizers in enhancing speed, accuracy, and personnel safety in maritime mine warfare operations.
robotunderwater-roboticsmine-countermeasuresfiber-optic-telemetryprecision-guided-munitionsautonomous-systemsnaval-defense-technologyLight-powered underwater robots achieve 2x mammalian muscle strength
robotsoft-roboticsartificial-musclesunderwater-roboticslight-responsive-materialsphotochemical-actuatorsazobenzeneUS student develops sound-based remote tool for ocean robotics
robotIoTunderwater-roboticsmetamaterialsacoustic-wavesremote-controlnon-invasive-tools