CRABI Robotics
US marine robotics startup; autonomous in-transit hull-cleaning robot for cargo ships that cuts fuel consumption by 9-17% with no off-hire time.
CRABI Robotics is a US-based marine robotics company founded in 2023 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company was founded by Levi Gershon and developed in close collaboration with MIT, where the technology was licensed through the MIT Technology Licensing Office.
The company's core product — the CRABI (Crud Removal Autonomous Brushing Instrument) — is a fully autonomous, tetherless underwater robot that cleans and inspects the hulls of cargo vessels while they are underway, requiring no port stops or off-hire time. The system removes biofouling such as biofilms, slime, and barnacles that accumulate on ship hulls, which are the primary cause of increased drag and fuel inefficiency in maritime shipping.
By keeping hulls clean continuously, CRABI reduces hull resistance by 9–17%, translating to fuel savings estimated at $400,000 to $4 million per vessel per year depending on vessel size and trade route. This also supports compliance with tightening international maritime emissions regulations (IMO targets).
CRABI Robotics operates on a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) business model: customers subscribe to continuous hull cleaning and inspection as a service rather than purchasing the robot hardware outright. This eliminates upfront capital expenditure for shipping operators.
The company has raised approximately $5–7 million from investors including C Transport Maritime, Gaingels, New Era Ventures, Venrex Investment Management, and E14 Fund. As of 2024, the company employed around 10–15 people. CRABI has been recognized as a climate technology company and Levi Gershon was named a climate fellow by the 776 Foundation.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
CRABI
- Model: CRABI
- Launch Year: 2023
Fully autonomous tetherless underwater robot that cleans ship hulls in-transit, reducing fuel consumption by 9-17% with no port stops required.
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Contact CRABI Robotics
WEBSITE
https://www.crabi-robotics.comHEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
2023
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
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