Top Underwater Robotics Companies

Global Underwater Robotics Market size was valued at USD 7.03 Billion in 2024 and is poised to grow from USD 8.11 Billion in 2025 to USD 25.33 Billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 15.3% during the forecast period (2026–2033).

The competitive landscape of the underwater robotics market is characterized by a variety of key players adopting innovative strategies to maintain and expand their market share. Leading companies in the sector, such as Oceaneering International, Saab Seaeye, and iRobot, have strategically focused on developing advanced technologies that cater to diverse applications, including offshore oil and gas exploration, deep-sea mineral extraction, scientific research, and defense. For example, Oceaneering International, a prominent player in the market, continues to focus on the development of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) tailored for offshore oil and gas operations. 'Oceaneering International, Inc. (USA) ', 'Kongsberg Gruppen (Norway) ', 'Saab AB (Sweden) ', 'ECA Group (France) ', 'TechnipFMC plc (UK) ', 'Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD) (UK) ', 'Deep Ocean Engineering, Inc. (USA) ', 'International Submarine Engineering Limited (ISE) (Canada) ', 'General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc. (USA) ', 'Teledyne Marine (USA) ', 'Fugro N.V. (Netherlands) ', 'Atlas Elektronik GmbH (Germany) ', 'Schilling Robotics LLC (USA) ', 'Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (USA) ', 'VideoRay LLC (USA) ', 'Blue Robotics (USA) ', 'Kraken Robotics (Canada) ', 'L3Harris Technologies, Inc. (USA) ', 'DOF Subsea AS (Norway) ', 'Hydro Group Plc (UK)'

The growth in offshore oil and gas exploration has significantly boosted the demand for underwater robotics. As deep-sea drilling and maintenance operations become more complex and demanding, the need for reliable and high-performance robotic systems has increased. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are crucial for tasks such as drilling, equipment assembly, repair, and maintenance in harsh marine environments. For example, Nautilus Minerals, a Canadian company, plans to deploy underwater robots to extract valuable minerals at depths of up to 1,600 meters near Papua New Guinea. This highlights how the oil and gas industry is utilizing robotic solutions to reduce human risk and enhance operational efficiency.

Integration of Artificial Intelligence Enhancing Capabilities: The incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) into underwater robotics is revolutionizing the field by enabling autonomous navigation, real-time decision-making, and advanced data analytics. AI-driven systems can optimize route planning, detect anomalies, and conduct predictive maintenance, significantly boosting efficiency and safety during underwater operations. A notable example is the collaboration between Ocean Infinity and Thales in 2024, which led to the development of AI-enhanced underwater systems for mine detection and seabed mapping. This integration of AI not only improves operational accuracy but also reduces human intervention in complex and hazardous environments.

North America holds a substantial share of the underwater robotics market. The region's dominance is attributed to its advanced technological infrastructure, significant investments in defense and security, and a robust presence in offshore oil and gas exploration. The U.S. boasts a robust technological infrastructure that fosters innovation in underwater robotics. This infrastructure supports the development of sophisticated systems such as Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), which are rapidly deployed alongside submarines for iterative testing and refinement.