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Credit: Reach Robotics ments, with a depth rating of 4,000 meters.

Nauticus Robotics, Inc. also has an electric work-class sub- Saab’s Seaeye eM1-7 sea manipulator designed for ROV applications: the Olympic Electric Manipulator

Arm. More recently, however, the company is integrating elec- tric manipulators and autonomous operations with their ? rst prototype built for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and robotic systems.

The initial prototype, described in a press release, features a modular three-joint con? guration that serves as the foundation for planned ? ve-joint and seven-joint variants capable of sup- porting increasingly complex subsea operations. Integrated with Nauticus Robotics’ ToolKITT software, the manipulator will autonomously recognize work sites, identify intervention points, compensate for changing underwater conditions, and execute tasks with reduced operator input.

Development teams have started functional and load testing, with Nauticus Robotics’ Aquanaut AUV serving as the initial integration vehicle for future ? eld demonstrations.

An electric future “What’s particularly exciting is the role these technolo- gies will play in reducing human intervention in hazardous environments,” Dewell enthused. “By combining advanced manipulation with greater automation and, ultimately, Al- enabled capabilities, we can improve safety, make operations more ef? cient and unlock new ways of working underwater that simply weren’t possible before.”

Steven concurred, adding, “The subsea industry continues to evolve towards smaller, more agile robotic systems. As these platforms become increasingly capable, the role of electric, high-performance manipulation becomes even more important.”

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