A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Amazon's Prime Air drone delivery service has received SAIL 4 operating authorization from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, allowing it to operate over more populated areas in Darlington. This approval increases the number of eligible customers from approximately 600 to around 8,000, marking a signi...
Saildrone has entered into an agreement with Norwegian shipbuilder Umoe Mandal to produce unmanned surface vessels (USVs), specifically the 20-meter-long Surveyor USV. This partnership, announced at the Euronaval defense show, will see Umoe Mandal constructing parts of the vessel in Norway while Sai...
A recent court ruling determined that the Navy exhibited 'disparate treatment' in its evaluation of Saildrone's MUSV proposal. This finding highlights potential biases in the Navy's procurement processes, raising concerns about fairness and transparency in defense contracting. The ruling may prompt...
Saildrone has been selected to deploy and operate four Voyager unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for a year-long mission in the Baltic Sea, marking the first national deployment under the Nordic Defence Cooperation framework. This initiative aims to enhance maritime domain awareness within Sweden’s t...
The ALBATROSS, developed by a research team from Singapore University of Technology and Design, is an innovative aerial sailing robot designed for environmental monitoring in remote ocean areas. Unlike traditional methods that rely on slow boats or costly airdropped buoys, ALBATROSS can descend gent...
Researchers at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) have created a new robotic platform designed to monitor remote waters. This innovative robot mimics the falling motion of a maple seed before landing on water, where it rights itself and begins to sail autonomously using wind en...
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design and MIT have developed ALBATROSS, a hybrid robot that combines aerial and aquatic capabilities. This innovative design mimics the natural descent of a maple seed and the swimming motion of a fish, allowing the robot to transition seamlessl...
The ALBATROSS is a bioinspired, aerially deployable sensor platform designed for autonomous sailing. This innovative technology aims to enhance environmental monitoring and data collection in various marine settings. The significance of ALBATROSS lies in its ability to operate autonomously, reducin...
Saildrone successfully executed two Joint Air-to-Ground Missile launches from its Surveyor unmanned surface vehicle (USV) during the US Navy's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first-ever missile launch from a Saildrone USV, showcasing the integrat...
Saildrone has announced a significant expansion in Europe, establishing its new headquarters in Copenhagen and securing three build contracts across Northern Europe. This expansion, revealed on August 18, 2026, includes partnerships with Van Der Valk Shipyard in the Netherlands for the construction...
Saildrone, a US manufacturer of unmanned surface vessels, is broadening its European presence by establishing production facilities in the Netherlands, Norway, and Poland. This expansion coincides with the upcoming DALO Industry Days in Denmark, where Saildrone has also set up its EU headquarters ea...
Saildrone has announced a significant expansion in Europe, establishing multiple manufacturing sites and its EU headquarters in Copenhagen. This expansion includes contracts for building the 52-meter Saildrone Spectre in the Netherlands, the next-generation Saildrone Surveyor in Norway, and Surveyor...
Oshen has successfully demonstrated the seabed-mapping capabilities of its sail-powered robots during a trial conducted by the U.S. Navy. This trial showcased the robots' ability to efficiently map underwater terrains, which is crucial for various naval operations and environmental assessments. The...
The U.S. Navy has renewed its task order for Saildrone, extending the deployment of Voyager unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific regions. This extension aims to enhance maritime surveillance and counter-drug operations in these critical areas. The significance of th...
The U.S. Navy has successfully utilized the Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicle (USV) to assist in a significant drug bust, seizing over $81 million in cocaine during an operation in October 2025. This operation highlights the effectiveness of unmanned systems in maritime security, particular...
Blue Water Autonomy and Saildrone have initiated legal action against the U.S. Navy, asserting that their submissions met the requirements for the new MUSV marketplace. The lawsuits highlight the companies' contention that their proposals were compliant with the Navy's specifications, which is cruci...
Amazon has achieved a significant regulatory milestone by becoming the first operator globally to receive a SAIL 4 Operating Authorization and Flightworthiness Validation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This approval allows Amazon Prime Air to extend its drone delivery services to approx...
In Episode 231 of This Week In Space, hosts Rod Pyle and Tariq Malik delve into their favorite space science fiction, spanning from classics by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells to contemporary works. They also introduce listeners to some lesser-known titles that showcase the genre's diversity. This episo...
At MIT's Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab, PhD student Wil Norton showcased humanoid Unitree robots, each valued at approximately $50,000. During the demonstration, visitors instinctively treated the robots as sentient beings, highlighting a common tendency to anthropomorphize technolo...
The Singapore University of Technology and Design has developed ALBATROSS, a hybrid aerial-marine robot capable of autorotating down to water without a parachute and self-righting after landing. This innovative design allows the same rigid wings to be used for both aerial descent and wind-powered sa...
The U.S. Navy has launched the Robotic and Autonomous Systems Warfighting Development Center (RASWDC) on September 24, aimed at integrating robotic and autonomous systems into naval operations. Led by Rear Admiral Melvin Smith, the center is headquartered at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-For...
The US Navy has awarded a $10 million contract to Saildrone to utilize autonomous vessels for mapping the Atlantic Ocean floor. This initiative, assigned by the Naval Oceanographic Office, is set to commence in 2026 and will continue through most of 2027, enhancing military knowledge of critical und...
Oshen's four-foot autonomous sailboat, the C-Star PC13, has successfully completed a 3,555-mile Atlantic crossing, marking a historic achievement in the Microtransat Challenge after over 30 attempts. Departing Gran Canaria on May 7, the vessel reached Barbados in 127 days, navigating through busy sh...
Lockheed Martin and Saildrone successfully demonstrated missile launches from an unmanned surface vessel during the RIMPAC 2026 exercise near Hawaii. This integration of Lockheed Martin’s Joint-Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) Dual Launcher and Adjunct Remote Engagement System (ARES) on a Surveyor-class...
A Saildrone Voyager unmanned surface vehicle (USV) assisted the U.S. Navy in tracking and intercepting a suspected drug-smuggling vessel in the Caribbean, resulting in the seizure of approximately $81 million worth of cocaine on October 16, 2025. This operation highlights the transition of autonomou...
GeForce NOW has introduced new content this week, including 'Path of Exile: Curse of the Allflame' and Battlefield 6 Season 4. 'Path of Exile' launches on July 24, allowing players to explore the Frozen Seas and engage with new gameplay mechanics, including the Luminary Ascendancy for the Scion char...
Carbonix says it is the first company in Australia to receive SAIL III certification for a drone, clearing a path to scalable long-range BVLOS operations. Sydney-based autonomous aviation company Carbonix has become the first company in Australia to achieve Safety Assurance Integrity Level (SAIL) II...
Sailis has unveiled its first humanoid robot, named 'Xiao Sai', during a recent factory tour video, distinguishing itself in an industry often characterized by flashy announcements. This innovative robot is intended to welcome and guide visitors, reflecting Sailis' dedication to incorporating roboti...
The Voyager, a state-of-the-art surveillance vessel, has been designed to carry out continuous coastal monitoring and nearshore mapping operations. This advanced ship can remain deployed at sea for approximately 100 days, enhancing its capability to gather critical data over extended periods. The im...
Elon Musk's stake in SpaceX is valued at over $866 billion, according to the company's updated IPO prospectus. This significant ownership comes as SpaceX prepares for its initial public offering, a move that could reshape the landscape of the aerospace industry. The prospectus highlights Musk's subs...
Saildrone, an autonomous maritime company based in Alameda, California, has announced the deployment of 16 Voyager unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) to enhance surveillance capabilities for the US Coast Guard. This initiative, which is part of a $15.5 million contract, aims to support Coast Guard mis...
The U.S. Coast Guard is enhancing its efforts to monitor the extensive northern maritime approaches, which encompass thousands of miles of coastline, busy waterways, and vital fishing grounds from the Great Lakes to the North Atlantic. This initiative, aimed at detecting suspicious vessel activity a...
The U.S. Coast Guard is set to deploy autonomous surface drones across the Great Lakes starting in May. This initiative aims to enhance maritime safety and environmental monitoring in the region. The deployment comes in response to increasing concerns over navigation hazards and the need for improve...
The US Navy is grappling with significant challenges in upholding maritime dominance amid escalating global conflicts. As tensions rise in various regions, adversaries are increasingly focusing on strategically vital waterways and essential undersea infrastructure. The Navy's traditional reliance on...
A recent study published in the Journal of Field Robotics highlights advancements in robotic technology aimed at enhancing agricultural efficiency. Researchers from various institutions collaborated on this project, which was initiated in early 2023 and conducted across multiple farms in the Midwest...
The Mariana Trench, home to Challenger Deep, the deepest point in the world's oceans at 10,935 meters (35,876 feet), remains one of the least explored and most geologically significant areas on Earth. This underwater marvel, located in the western Pacific Ocean, continues to intrigue scientists and...
Saildrone, a leader in autonomous deep-water mapping, has successfully completed a mission to map the exclusive economic zone of the Cayman Islands. Over approximately 300 days, the company utilized its Saildrone Surveyor uncrewed surface vehicle to survey around 90,000 square kilometers of seabed,...
Lockheed Martin has announced a significant investment of $50 million in Saildrone, Inc., aimed at enhancing the capabilities of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). This partnership, revealed today, seeks to integrate advanced defense technology with Saildrone's proven USV systems, positioning them fo...
Saildrone has announced the launch of its first European subsidiary, Saildrone Denmark, located in Copenhagen. This expansion marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to enhance persistent maritime domain awareness, which they regard as essential for global maritime operations. By esta...
Saildrone, a leader in maritime autonomy, has partnered with Thales Australia to successfully integrate the BlueSentry thin-line towed array with the Saildrone Surveyor, resulting in a pioneering system designed for autonomous long-endurance undersea maritime domain awareness (MDA). This innovative...
As over 70% of the Earth's surface is covered by ocean, illegal activities often go undetected due to a lack of surveillance by U.S. or allied forces. Multi-mission naval assets are currently stretched thin, balancing high-stakes operations with the need for extensive open-water patrols. This situat...
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