Robots are taking over the ocean - and that's a good thing

Over the last 20 years, the ocean has turned into an innovation hub, with companies making huge breakthroughs in climate research, resource management, and maritime security. This, in turn, is driving a new blue ocean market that we call THE FLOATING ECONOMY.

This transformation didn’t happen overnight though. Over the past 2 decades, the world has witnessed the rise of AI, autonomous systems, and next-gen sensor technology. These breakthroughs on land have made their way to the marine space, where motivated entrepreneurs have begun making their own mark… like collecting real-time data from autonomous drones in extreme conditions.

TURNING STORMS INTO OPPORTUNITY

Picture this: 50-foot waves, winds roaring at 120 miles an hour, and right in the middle of it all is this bright-orange, unmanned robot calmly gathering data. Back in 2021, Saildrone became a national sensation when one of their neat little robots sailed straight into the eye of Hurricane Sam.

Scientists suddenly had something they'd only previously dreamed of; real-time data directly from the beating heart of the strongest recorded storm in history. The really cool part: that data seriously improved later hurricane predictions by NOAA.

Saildrone made a name for itself and was able to secure a large chunk of the $10B ProTech grant with NOAA. The moral of this story? Taking on acts of God can be lucrative for those in the marine robotics space.

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA

Meanwhile, as Saildrone is competing for the most dare-devil robot award, another company is deploying its hi-tech robots just below the chaos. Driving this tech?

• High-resolution Sonar

• Autonomous Systems

• An adventurous dive toward the deep end

Kraken Robotics has taken up the challenge of mapping the ocean floor in crystal-clear picture frames. They’ve developed next-generation sonar tech that lets the rest of us steer clear of underwater dangers lurking beneath our boats. Couple that with guarding subsea pipelines and conducting inspections of offshore wind farms, and you’ve got yourself a company making just south of $100M this year alone in revenue.

WHY THIS MATTERS

These are more than just fun tech stories. Marine robotics is in the driver’s seat of real-world impact. Robots stalking hurricanes. Systems guarding black gold from would-be underwater pirates. These tech companies are solving problems that once seemed impossible. Today, robots monitor coral reefs, detect illegal fishing, and warn us of approaching doomsday storms, all while cutting costs and risks for the rest of us.

The end result? Well, the boring answer would be something along the lines of transforming energy, security, and research industries. The real deal though - robots are carving a wave out of the ocean for entrepreneurs like you to start shipping your own tech within the floating economy.

THE OPPORTUNITY IS REAL

The marine robotics industry is BOOMING. Its global market worth was close to $5B in 2022, with an expected CAGR of 14.5% through 2030. That’s a big deal. Demand is skyrocketing in offshore energy, defense, and environmental monitoring. Companies in the space have seen revenues spiking year over year, with companies like Kraken Robotics expecting to generate upwards of $100M per year in revenue.

Entrepreneurs have a real opportunity here. The marine robotics industry is redefining how we interact with the ocean, and land-based companies are taking note. Energy conglomerates want smart drones to inspect their offshore rigs. Governments require advanced security

NAVIGATING THE OPEN WATER

There’s no doubt about it. This space is brimming with opportunity. But that isn’t to say the marine robotics industry isn’t without its challenges. If it were as easy as sticking an AI bot on a boat and calling it a day, we’d all be doing it. Enter the giant elephant in the room: REGULATION.

Maritime regulations are probably one of (if not the) biggest headaches tech companies have to navigate in the marine robotics space. Particularly for autonomous systems in international waters. Companies like Saildrone and Kraken Robotics have to comply with a whole suite of rules governing vessel traffic, environmental protection, and even data collection.

If you’re thinking about jumping into this space, just be aware: you’re gonna have to tackle these legal and logistical hurdles from the get-go. There is one beacon of optimism here though; the companies that can successfully work through these challenges will often find themselves on the happier side of government and regulatory bodies.

Investors may want to take note: governments like to cut lucrative contracts with compliant marine startups.