6 min read
The North Sea is full of vital infrastructure: power cables, data cables, gas pipelines and wind farms. Guarding that across hundreds of square kilometres is slow and expensive with crewed ships. Autonomous unmanned vessels can be permanently present, with a human in the loop. Here's how.
The North Sea has become vulnerable
On and under the North Sea lies the backbone of our energy and communication: high-voltage cables from wind farms, international data cables and gas pipelines. Recent incidents with damaged cables showed how vulnerable that is. The area is vast and there are too few eyes on the water to watch all of it continuously.
Why unmanned and autonomous
An unmanned vessel can patrol day and night without a crew in the danger zone. It sails a route autonomously, detects vessels and unusual behaviour, and reports it to the operator. That creates permanent presence and situational awareness, exactly where crewed ships fall short due to cost and staff shortages.
Mass over premium: a swarm that moves with the task
One expensive patrol ship covers only a small area. We believe in mass over premium: a swarm of affordable sea drones together watches far more water. They move with the threat of the moment, from cable inspection to shadowing a suspicious vessel. More coverage for the same euro.
A human in the loop
Autonomy does not mean the human disappears. At Level 2 the drones detect and advise; the operator sees the picture and decides. One operator oversees the whole swarm and intervenes where needed. For defence and surveillance, that human accountability is essential.
What we build, and where we stand
Dutch USV Technologies develops the autonomy brain that turns existing boats into such surveillance drones: sensor fusion, detection and navigation. Our brain now sails autonomously in simulation; the next step is the water, together with pilot partners such as coastguards, ports and defence. Want to help shape autonomous sea defence on the North Sea? Become a pilot partner.