Nauticus Robotics Inc. today announced that Leidos has awarded it an additional $2.1 million under its current contract to further develop autonomous undersea robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention. The company said the technology will be based on its existing technologies.
“This work is the centerpiece of Nauticus’ excellent collaboration with Leidos, and I look forward to continuing our mutual progress of advancing the state of the art in undersea vehicles,” said Nicolaus Radford, founder and CEO of Nauticus, in a release.
Webster, Texas-based Nauticus Robotics offers its systems through a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) business model and direct product sales for both hardware platforms and software licenses. In addition to its standalone offerings, the company has developed a range of products for retrofitting legacy systems and third-party vehicles.
Nauticus builds on Aquanaut, toolKITT
Nauticus Robotics said it supports data collection, analytics, and subsea manipulation capabilities to support and maintain assets. It added that it can help customers reduce their operational footprint, operating cost, and greenhouse gas emissions to improve offshore health, safety, and environmental exposure.
The company said it is developing an underwater robot derived from its Aquanaut that includes technology to support longer and more challenging missions. The electric-powered Aquanaut offers two modes—as a autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and as a remotely operated vehicle (ROV).
In addition, the Leidos award will fund further operational enhancements to toolKITT, said Nauticus. The proprietary software package is designed to provide subsea vehicles the intelligence for a variety of autonomous actions.
In its report of its earnings for the second quarter of 2023, Nauticus cited contracts with Leidos and Petrobas. The company also described commissioning exercises for the first of three second-generation Aquanauts and work with the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).
Nauticus reported revenue of $1.1 million for the quarter, down from $2.8 million in the same period a year ago because of delays in government contracts. In 2021, the company went public through a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger.
Leidos continues funding development
Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets.
The Reston, Va.-based company said its 46,000 employees support missions for government and commercial customers. It reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended Dec. 30, 2022.
The $2.1 million in funding for Nauticus was in addition to an earlier $2.7 million award. Leidos has provided the program $16.6 million since 2022. The companies said they expect the new technology “to underpin future, economically material opportunities.”
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