Cellula Robotics Ltd. and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC/RDDC) have advanced long-endurance autonomous underwater vehicle capabilities through a multi-year development contract.
During a recent endurance demonstration, Cellula’s Envoy autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), which is owned by DRDC/RDDC, exceeded its published performance specifications by remaining on mission fully submerged for 385 hours and covering 2,023 km. The testing profile was designed to simulate practical subsea operating conditions rather than a simple straight-line run, incorporating more than 4,000 turns and maneuvers that significantly increased energy demands on the system.
The Envoy platform utilizes hydrogen fuel cell technology developed with Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc. This technological integration is part of a broader effort to mature autonomous subsea systems that offer greater persistence, stronger mission continuity, and more practical offshore performance. For operators across defense, survey, scientific, and other mission-driven applications, these advancements directly impact how long a vehicle can remain productive below the surface, reduce required intervention frequencies, and maximize the efficiency of offshore time.
“Capability of this kind is advanced through sustained collaboration, rigorous testing, and a shared commitment to what is operationally useful,” said Eric Jackson, President & Founder of Cellula Robotics. “We are very pleased to announce such progress, reflected in a representative mission demonstration that exceeded a key performance objective, and we are very appreciative of the important role DRDC/RDDC has played in helping mature this capability over time.”
The long-term interest from DRDC/RDDC in accelerating long-endurance AUVs highlights the critical role that sustained development partnerships play in bringing complex underwater technologies to maturity. Continuous progress in this field relies heavily on technical innovation combined with the operational continuity and practical support provided by such collaborative frameworks.
