US autonomous subsea robot enters acceptance testing phase

U.S.-based developer of subsea autonomous robotic systems and software Nauticus Robotics has kicked off the acceptance testing phase of its second Aquanaut vehicle, which facilitates the transformation of tethered remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations to fully autonomous operations.

Nauticus Robotics completed assembly and the first phase of acceptance testing at its Houston facility in January.

The company reported on February 3 that its second Aquanaut vehicle was in Louisiana undergoing the next phase of acceptance testing, with the completion of the required pool testing expected this month.

Once completed, the vehicle will move to the final phase of testing in open water off the U.S. southern coast.

All acceptance testing for this vehicle is scheduled to be completed within the first quarter of 2025.

Of note, the U.S. firm announced the start of commercial operations of its flagship underwater vehicle Aquanaut Mark 2 in September 2024, following the completion of qualification testing.

At the end of last year, Nauticus Robotics entered into a strategic collaboration with applied robotic solutions provider SeaTrepid International to install and test its software on one of SeaTrepid’s ROVs, aiming to enhance autonomous subsea operations.