KORTHOS / ECOSYSTEM / PRODUCT

Aquanaut

About

About Aquanaut

Aquanaut is an electrically powered subsea robot designed to switch between autonomous travel and remotely operated work. Its architecture reduces reliance on conventional topside infrastructure, with Nauticus developing vehicle control and intervention hardware as parts of the same robotics programme.

Aquanaut is the planned first integration vehicle for Nauticus' internally developed modular electric manipulator. A three-joint prototype completed basic movement validation in the first half of 2026 and entered functional and load testing in July. The programme combines ToolKITT perception and control software with planned five- and seven-joint versions for more complex tasks. Further prototype testing and eventual field demonstrations remain development milestones.

Capabilities

Source-backed capabilities

  • Autonomous undersea missions

    Claimed - Transits as an AUV and transforms into an ROV for intervention work. - environment: subsea infrastructure

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Operations

  • Production Setup

    additional Aquanaut build capacity - 2026-02-19 - Aquanaut manufacturing expansion - underwater robot manufacturing - Nauticus Robotics announced manufacturing and commercialization moves tied to additional Aquanaut build capacity.

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  • Production Setup

    second Aquanaut Mark 2 vehicle in acceptance testing - 2025-02-03 - Nauticus Robotics - United States - Nauticus completed assembly and first-phase acceptance testing for its second Aquanaut Mark 2 vehicle before moving it to Louisiana for additional acceptance testing.

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Supply

Supply / Components

  • Aquanaut

    Lithium Ion Battery Subsystem For Aquanaut - energy_storage - SubCtech - SubCtech supplies the lithium-ion battery subsystem used in Nauticus Aquanaut - source: sec.gov

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Timeline

  • Nauticus completes first next-generation electric manipulator prototype

    2026-07-28 - Capability - The completed prototype is a modular three-joint electric subsea arm developed internally by Nauticus. Functional and load testing began in July 2026. Nauticus plans five- and seven-joint versions, with Aquanaut designated as the first integration platform.

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  • Nauticus Robotics announces Aquanaut manufacturing expansion and leadership additions

    2026-02-19 - Production Milestone - Nauticus Robotics announced leadership additions and commercialization initiatives tied to product growth and manufacturing capacity. The update followed Master Investment Group's commitment to support construction of additional Aquanaut vehicles. Nauticus appointed Dr. Kjerstin Easton as Vice President of Software.

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  • Nauticus Robotics announces strategic investment and UAE offshore robotics hub plan with Master Investment Group

    2026-02-09 - Partnership - Nauticus Robotics announced a proposed strategic collaboration with Master Investment Group to establish a UAE-based manufacturing, sales, and offshore services business unit. The plan includes local facility development, workforce localization, and initial manufacturing capability for Aquanaut. Master Investment Group also committed to support Nauticus in securing an initial Aquanaut deployment contract in the region.

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  • Nauticus Robotics plans Aquanaut testing program at Advanced Ocean Systems lake facility

    2025-10-23 - Partnership - Nauticus Robotics announced plans to use Advanced Ocean Systems' lake facility in Stuart, Florida for Aquanaut testing. The program covers leak detection, 3D digital twin solutions, survey and mapping expansion, autonomy software commercialization, and fleet interoperability testing. Nauticus said the facility would support customer demonstrations and help prepare Aquanaut and ToolKITT capabilities for 2026 offshore work.

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  • Nauticus Robotics and Subnero validate ultra-deepwater communications for Aquanaut

    2025-09-23 - Capability - Nauticus Robotics announced ultra-deepwater Aquanaut test results with Subnero. The test confirmed the subsea acoustic link was maintained as Aquanaut submerged from the surface to 2,300 meters. Nauticus said the 2,300-meter limit is deep enough to cover an estimated 90% of offshore oil and gas fields worldwide.

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  • Nauticus Robotics Aquanaut Mark 2 reaches 2,300 meters in ultra-deepwater qualification testing

    2025-08-26 - Demonstration - Nauticus Robotics said Aquanaut Mark 2 reached a new depth record of 2,300 meters underwater. The test took place 240 kilometers off the coast of Louisiana. Nauticus said the test generated data on Aquanaut and ToolKITT performance, including acoustic communication challenges in ultra-deep water.

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  • Nauticus Robotics moves second Aquanaut Mark 2 vehicle into acceptance testing

    2025-02-03 - Production Milestone - Nauticus Robotics completed assembly and the first phase of acceptance testing for its second Aquanaut Mark 2 vehicle. The vehicle moved to Louisiana for the next phase of acceptance testing. Nauticus targeted completion of all acceptance testing in the first quarter of 2025.

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  • Nauticus Robotics completes Phase I concept validation documentation for Aquanaut Mark 2

    2024-07-18 - Capability - Nauticus Robotics finalized engineering and proof-of-concept documentation for Aquanaut Mark 2. The documentation covered 10 core functionalities for offshore deepwater field inspection and light maintenance tasks. Nauticus said completion of Phase I supported invoicing for the concept validation work.

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  • Nauticus Robotics and Leidos execute additional $2.1 million contract for Aquanaut-derived undersea robot

    2023-08-22 - Contract Award - Nauticus Robotics and Leidos executed an additional USD 2.1 million contract. The work further develops an Aquanaut-derived undersea robot for longer and more challenging missions. The award also supports operational enhancements to Nauticus' ToolKITT software platform.

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  • Petrobras contracts Nauticus Robotics to develop and test autonomous subsea inspection services

    2023-06-23 - Contract Award - Petrobras awarded Nauticus Robotics a contract to develop and test supervised autonomous subsea inspection services. The contract uses Aquanaut in Petrobras' deepwater production field. Nauticus said the scope consists of approximately two months of subsea inspection time.

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  • Nauticus Robotics and Leidos execute $2.7 million contract extension for Aquanaut-derived undersea robot

    2023-05-11 - Contract Award - Nauticus Robotics and Leidos executed a USD 2.7 million contract extension. The funded extension supports continued development of an Aquanaut-derived undersea robot. The work prepares the system for customer adoption decisions and government opportunities.

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Context

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