Unmanned Underwater Vehicles - UUV, AUV, ROV

Find suppliers and manufacturers of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles; UUV, AUV, ROV and Underwater Gliders for survey, research and military applications
Overview Unmanned Underwater Vehicles - UUV, AUV, ROV
By Mike Ball Last updated: April 25th, 2025

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles UUVs

Unmanned underwater vehicles, or UUVs, also known as Unmanned Undersea Vehicles, are vehicles that are capable of operating while submerged underwater without the need for a human to be physically occupying the vehicle. They can be divided into two main categories – Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs).

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles AUVs

UUV for anti-submarine warfare training by RTSYS

UUV for anti-submarine warfare training by RTSYS

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles are capable of functioning without real-time control from a human operator. They can be programmed to collect data along a predetermined route, and some are able to make decisions and potentially change their mission parameters according to the received data.

Due to the attenuation of radio waves in water, AUVs cannot rely on direct GPS navigation once submerged. Dead reckoning can be used to establish an estimate of position, although errors compound quickly. This positional estimate can be further improved by additional data from underwater acoustic transponders, GPS positions of nearby surface references, or temporary surfacing to establish a GPS fix. Acceleration and velocity estimates can be calculated using an Inertial Measurement Unit, and improved with a Doppler Velocity Log, a device similar to sonar which measures the rate of travel over the sea floor.

Propulsion methods for AUVs

The most common propulsion methods for AUVs are propeller-based thrusters and Kort nozzles, usually powered by electric motors. AUVs may also “glide” through the water – by changing buoyancy, underwater gliders are able to alter their depth, and use airfoil wings to convert this movement into forward motion.

AUVs are used extensively for surveying by the oil and gas industry and in scientific research. They are also used for naval defense applications such as mine detection, payload delivery and surveillance. Military AUVs have been networked with UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) to provide a cross-domain ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) solution for the battlefield.

Read more about Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) >>

Photo Credit Teledyne Marine SeaRaptor AUV
Photo Credit Teledyne Marine SeaRaptor AUV

Remotely Operated Vehicles ROVs

Unlike AUVs, ROVs are not capable of functioning without real-time control from a human operator. ROVs were developed to overcome the limitations of human divers and human-occupied diving vehicles. They are operated remotely by a crew on board a nearby vessel, and connected to their base of operations via an umbilical link that provides both a tether and a power, communications and data link. ROVs that operate in deeper or rougher water will also be fitted with a Tether Management System (TMS), which regulates the length of the tether to minimize the effects of underwater drag on the cable.

ROVs can be divided into different classes according to their size, weight or function. There are several different classification schemes.

BlueROV2 Configurable ROV by Blue Robotics

BlueROV2 Configurable ROV by Blue Robotics

Observation or inspection-class vehicles

The smallest ROVs are often known as observation or inspection-class vehicles, the simplest of which may carry only a single camera. More sophisticated vehicles of this class may also be equipped with sonar and other sensors. Typical operational depths may range from several hundred to several thousand feet depending on vehicle size.

Work-class ROVs

At the other end of the spectrum are the work-class ROVs. These are fitted with a hydraulic pump to provide the extra power needed for additional equipment and for propulsion at greater depth.

Work-class ROVs are able to operate more powerful equipment such as manipulators and cable-layers. Vehicles of this class have been designed to operate at depths of up to and even exceeding 30,000 feet.

Read more about Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) >>

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Envoy AUV

Survey-class AUV with user-configurable payloads

Survey-class AUV with user-configurable payloads
...is a versatile underwater robotic platform that can be powered by Li-ion battery or hydrogen fuel...
Porter AUV

XLAUV for commercial survey & payload deployment applications

XLAUV for commercial survey & payload deployment applications
...e of remaining underwater for up to 45 days at a time, covering up to 5000 line kilometres of survey...
Guardian AUV

XLAUV specialized for naval ISR & defense applications

XLAUV specialized for naval ISR & defense applications
...e of remaining underwater for up to 45 days at a time, covering up to 5000 line kilometres of survey...
Subsea Warden AUV

Hovering AUV with swarm capabilities

Hovering AUV with swarm capabilities
...gned to remain underwater for extended periods, and can be easily deployed from a support vessel by...
Osprey AUV

Modular long-range AUV with enhanced payload capacity

Modular long-range AUV with enhanced payload capacity
......blind-mating allows the vehicle to be quickly and easily assembled, reconfigured and...
Hydrus Micro Hovering AUV

Micro-AUV for benthic survey and point inspection

Micro-AUV for benthic survey and point inspection
...L and INS, the underwater robotic vehicle is capable of carrying out missions in challenging subsea... ...the autonomous underwater drone revolutionising underwater data collection by eliminating the...
Slocum G3 Glider

Long-range, buoyancy-driven autonomous ocean glider

Long-range, buoyancy-driven autonomous ocean glider
...at a time. The underwater glider provides flexibility and efficiency in ocean observation. Its...
SeaRaptor

Deepwater AUV with flexible sensor integration

Deepwater AUV with flexible sensor integration
...e sensors. The vehicle can also be customised to fit additional instruments such as side scan...
Gavia AUV

Modular AUV for research, commercial and defense applications

Modular AUV for research, commercial and defense applications
The Gavia is a modular, low-logistics AUV with field-swappable plug-and-play modules rated to 500 ...
Mission Specialist Defender

Heavy-payload ROV for complex missions

Heavy-payload ROV for complex missions
... the versatile ROV can move in any direction and maintain active pitch for upward or downward...
Mission Specialist Pro 5

Versatile ROV optimized for speed and efficiency

Versatile ROV optimized for speed and efficiency
...5 is a compact ROV designed for applications requiring greater speed and efficiency. Featuring a...
Custom Mission Specialist ROV Series

Customized ROVs with interchangeable modular components

Customized ROVs with interchangeable modular components
...ion Specialist ROVs are highly modular and customizable underwater robotics platforms that can be...
Boxfish AUV

Tetherless hovering autonomous underwater vehicle for scientific & inspection missions

Tetherless hovering autonomous underwater vehicle for scientific & inspection missions
...ing autonomous underwater vehicle engineered for precise subsea operations and data collection in... ...ilization, the vehicle delivers enhanced maneuverability in constrained underwater environments....
PHOTON Remotely Operated Vehicle

The ultimate portable and toughest micro ROV on the market.

The ultimate portable and toughest micro ROV on the market.
...oughest little ROV on the market. Powered by six thrusters, engineered with aluminium and carbon... ...ican case, the ROV is easily portable. The battery tube is certified for both passenger and cargo...
SRV-8 MDV

Underwater robotic mine disposal & EOD vehicle

Underwater robotic mine disposal & EOD vehicle
... a specialized ROV designed to support both commercial and naval EOD teams. Featuring...
SRV-8X Optimus

The larger, more powerful version of the SRV-8 ROV.

The larger, more powerful version of the SRV-8 ROV.
...ing and deeper underwater missions. The ROV is battery-operated, permitting improved range and ease...
Boxfish Alpha ROV

Next-generation ROV for inspection & observation

Next-generation ROV for inspection & observation
...ext-generation underwater ROV designed for inspection, observation and light intervention work....
Boxfish ROV – Remotely Operated Vehicle

Professional ROV for underwater inspections, observation and remote expeditions

Professional ROV for underwater inspections, observation and remote expeditions
The Boxfish ROV is an advanced video ROV system that delivers sharp, uncompressed, near-zero latency... High-Accuracy Underwater Photogrammetry...
Boxfish Luna – Cinematography Underwater Drone

Advanced submersible ROV for professional underwater cinematographers

Advanced submersible ROV for professional underwater cinematographers
...advanced video ROV for professional cinematographers, delivering 8K video and 50MP image capture at...
ARV-i – Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Resident AUV for long-duration inspections and monitoring

Resident AUV for long-duration inspections and monitoring
... monitoring of underwater assets. With the ability to stay underwater for up to 12 months at a time,...
DTG3 Remotely Operated Vehicle

Intelligent and advanced capabilities for underwater surveys

Intelligent and advanced capabilities for underwater surveys
...ervation class ROV, designed for quick deployment and reliable underwater surveys.... ...ion-class mini ROV designed for quick deployment and low-maintenance operation. Fitting completely...
REVOLUTION Remotely Operated Vehicle

Mission ready with advanced stabilization and payload capabilities.

Mission ready with advanced stabilization and payload capabilities.
......anced stabilization allows users to pilot the vehicle precisely underwater, even in high current.... ...t and flexible underwater capabilities for complex deep ocean missions. It consists of six thrusters...
PIVOT Remotely Operated Vehicle

Providing power and control with portability.

Providing power and control with portability.
... platform, the ROV allows users to complete missions in a timely manner.... ... This package provides the pilot with a map of ROV positioning, which can set points of interest....
Phantom UUV (Uncrewed underwater vehicle)

Customisable UUV that can be easily modified for different payloads, endurance and depths

Customisable UUV that can be easily modified for different payloads, endurance and depths
...ing Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, including our in house designed Phantom modular AUV shown in the... AUV/ROV Autopilot...
SRV-8 Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle

ROV robot for underwater inspections, surveys and research

ROV robot for underwater inspections, surveys and research
...y manoeuvrable underwater robot powered by a unique 8-thruster DVC (dynamic vector control) system...

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Platinum Partners
Cellula Robotics

Cutting-Edge Autonomous Underwater Vehicles & Subsea Robotic Systems

Teledyne Marine

Autonomous and Unmanned Marine Vehicles: USV, AUV, Marine ROV; Profiling Floats & Towed Systems

Advanced Navigation

Software-Defined Inertial Navigation Systems (MEMS & FOG), and Acoustic Positioning Solutions

Gold Partners
VideoRay

Powerful Underwater Robotics for Commercial, Industrial & Military Applications

Silver Partners
ecoSUB Robotics

Compact & Lightweight AUVs for Scientific, Commercial & Defense Applications

Deep Trekker

Advanced ROV Solutions for Critical Underwater Inspections

Boxfish Robotics

Underwater Robotic Vehicles (ROV & AUV) for Inspections, Observation and Videography

Oceanbotics

Professional Remotely Operated Vehicles for Underwater Operations‬

Dynautics Ltd

Marine Autopilots, Unmanned Surface Vehicle Communications, Power Management Modules & Marine Simulators & Software

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