KORTHOS / ECOSYSTEM / PRODUCT

Wave Glider SV3

About

About Wave Glider SV3

Wave Glider SV3 separates propulsion and payload support between a surface float and a submerged glider connected by an umbilical. Wave motion drives the underwater wings forward, while solar panels provide up to 225 watts for sensors, communications and onboard processing without supplying the primary propulsion force.

Seven modular payload bays support meteorological, acoustic, oceanographic, communications and maritime-awareness equipment, with a maximum payload of approximately 70 kilograms and energy storage up to 6.8 kilowatt-hours. Operators can add towing, profiling and subsea sensor packages and receive data through satellite or radio links. SV3 remains the compact field-proven member of a live family that now also includes the larger SV5 and SV6.

Operations

  • Order / Commitment

    20 commercial unmanned surface vehicles - 2026-02-17 - Japan Foreign Military Sales customer - unmanned surface vessel operations - Liquid Robotics received a $25 million DoD contract to supply 20 commercial unmanned surface vehicles to Japan under a Foreign Military Sales program.

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Research

  • ECC paper models sea-state interaction for the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider platform

    2024-06-25 - Research Publication - This paper covers ECC paper models sea-state interaction for the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider platform for Wave Glider (SV3) in Human-robot interaction.

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  • DANS20 field trial paper evaluates full autonomy for the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider

    2021-09-20 - Research Publication - This paper covers DANS20 field trial paper evaluates full autonomy for the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider for Wave Glider (SV3) in Robot learning.

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  • IROS paper predicts Wave Glider speed from wave-model data

    2014-09-01 - Research Publication - This model covers IROS paper predicts Wave Glider speed from wave-model data for Wave Glider (SV3) in Robot learning.

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  • IFAC paper details communications architecture for the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider

    2012-01-01 - Research Publication - This paper covers IFAC paper details communications architecture for the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider for Wave Glider (SV3) in Human-robot interaction.

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  • Ocean Dynamics paper frames Wave Glider for persistent ocean observation

    2011-10-01 - Research Publication - This paper covers Ocean Dynamics paper frames Wave Glider for persistent ocean observation for Wave Glider (SV3) in Robot learning.

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  • Wave Glider paper introduces a wave-powered autonomous marine vehicle

    2009-10-01 - Research Publication - This paper covers Wave Glider paper introduces a wave-powered autonomous marine vehicle for Wave Glider (SV3) in Robot learning.

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Timeline

  • Liquid Robotics Secures $25M DoD Contract for 20 USVs

    2026-02-17 - Contract Award - On February 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Liquid Robotics Inc. a $25 million contract to supply 20 commercial unmanned surface vehicles to Japan under a Foreign Military Sales program. The contract includes control software, payload integration, and launch and recovery equipment, with work scheduled for completion by February 16, 2028. The Air Force Test Center at Eglin Air Force Base is managing the contract.

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Context

Market context

Wave Glider SV3 is Liquid Robotics autonomous uncrewed surface vessel using wave and solar energy for persistent ocean monitoring and marine data collection.

  • Target environment: Open ocean, coastal waters and marine environments.
  • Workflow context: Persistent marine data collection, ocean monitoring, environmental sensing and maritime surveillance using wave-powered autonomous surface vessels.
  • Customer context: Oceanographic researchers, maritime operators, defence customers and environmental monitoring agencies.
  • Deployment model: Commercial autonomous surface vehicle with global ocean deployment.
  • Commercial maturity: Mature autonomous marine platform with extensive operational history across global oceans.
  • Adoption constraints: Limited to surface operation. Speed and maneuverability depend on wave conditions.
  • Market position: An autonomous ocean monitoring platform enabling persistent data collection where manned operations are costly and limited.
  • Adjacent products: Autonomous underwater vehicles, ocean monitoring platforms

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