Nauticus tests autonomous underwater robots in 6 market areas

Nauticus Robotics is preparing to demonstrate how autonomous underwater robots could transform offshore operations, moving two of its submarine-like Aquanaut vehicles to a Florida testing facility for comprehensive trials this fall and winter. The Houston-based company’s lake testing program aims to prove these untethered robots can handle everything from leak detection to fleet coordination—capabilities that could open substantial new revenue streams in marine industries.

The testing takes place at Advanced Ocean Systems’ specialized facility in Stuart, Florida, where Nauticus can demonstrate its robots in controlled conditions before returning to offshore operations in 2026. This partnership provides a cost-effective environment for validating both individual robot capabilities and multi-vehicle coordination with surface vessels.

What makes this testing significant

Unlike traditional remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that require constant human control via tethered cables, Nauticus’s Aquanaut robots operate autonomously underwater. This independence potentially reduces operational costs while expanding the scope of underwater work that’s economically viable. The Florida trials will test whether these robots can reliably perform complex tasks without direct human oversight—a crucial step toward commercializing autonomous underwater operations.

The testing program also showcases Nauticus ToolKITT, the company’s software platform that enables autonomous decision-making and coordination between multiple vehicles. This software represents a potentially licensable technology that could generate recurring revenue beyond robot sales and services.

Six market opportunities under evaluation

1. Leak detection services

Autonomous robots could revolutionize how companies monitor underwater infrastructure for environmental and safety compliance. Traditional inspection methods require expensive crewed vessels and specialized diving teams. Aquanaut robots could perform routine leak detection continuously, creating recurring service contracts for offshore operators who need regular environmental monitoring.

2. 3D digital twin solutions

Digital twins—virtual replicas of physical assets—are increasingly valuable for remote asset management. The robots can capture detailed 3D scans of underwater infrastructure, creating digital models that allow operators to monitor asset condition remotely. This capability opens opportunities in the growing data-as-a-service market, where companies pay for ongoing digital monitoring rather than one-time inspections.

3. Survey and mapping expansion

Beyond traditional oil and gas applications, autonomous underwater vehicles could serve renewable energy projects, coastal development, and inland waterway management. The robots’ versatility in different water environments—from shallow lakes to deep ocean—potentially expands their market reach significantly. Wind farm operators, for instance, need regular surveys of underwater cable installations and foundation integrity.

4. Autonomy software commercialization

Nauticus’s ToolKITT software represents intellectual property that could be licensed to other robotics manufacturers and defense contractors. Rather than building their own autonomous systems from scratch, other companies could integrate Nauticus’s proven autonomy algorithms into their platforms. This licensing model could generate scalable software revenue without the costs of manufacturing additional robots.

5. Fleet interoperability

Modern marine operations increasingly rely on coordinated teams of autonomous vehicles working together. The testing will demonstrate how Aquanaut robots can coordinate with unmanned surface vessels, creating integrated autonomous fleets. This capability positions Nauticus for larger contracts requiring comprehensive autonomous marine operations rather than single-vehicle deployments.

6. Customer and investor validation

Live demonstrations provide crucial proof-of-concept for both potential customers and investors. Seeing autonomous robots perform complex tasks in person builds confidence that translates into sales contracts and funding opportunities. The controlled lake environment allows for reliable demonstrations that might be difficult to guarantee in unpredictable ocean conditions.

Strategic facility partnership

The collaboration with Advanced Ocean Systems provides Nauticus access to a specialized testing environment without the significant costs of developing their own facility. AOS operates multiple autonomous surface vessels that can work alongside the underwater Aquanaut robots, enabling comprehensive fleet coordination testing.

“The collaboration afforded us by AOS is expected to be a gamechanger,” said John Gibson, President and CEO of Nauticus Robotics. “This top-notch facility and the team here provide us with a cost-effective method for testing not only our products but their interaction with other vehicles as well.”

Scaling toward commercial operations

Nauticus plans to assemble a third Aquanaut robot specifically for ongoing testing, which would free up the first two vehicles for revenue-generating contracts in 2026. This approach suggests the company is moving from development phase toward commercial scaling, where dedicated testing platforms support continuous improvement while operational robots generate income.

The testing program represents a crucial validation step for autonomous underwater robotics, an emerging market where technical capability must be proven before customers will commit to operational deployments. Success in Florida could position Nauticus as a leader in the transition from human-operated to autonomous marine operations.