From energy harvesting to advanced sensing–leaders see strong innovation happening in undersea technology
Experts see undersea technology as a hotbed of creativity and change, driven by the relentless pursuit of advancements that enhance operational capabilities and strategic advantages.
UTIC recently queried top experts from industry, academia and government for the new series Conversations with Ocean and Undersea Tech Leaders, and each provided insightful guidance on the state of innovation in the complex world of undersea technology. Here are some of the key takeaways from those conversations:
All the leaders UTIC talked with recognized the many, significant advancements in energy harvesting and storage. There is a general agreement that extending the mission life and enhancing the capabilities of underwater systems hinge on developing more efficient and sustainable power solutions. One top researcher and academic noted that the impact of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV) has been greatly improved by new technologies focused on “harvesting energy from the surrounding environment, developing new energy storage technologies, and developing novel ways for conserving energy.”
A seasoned undersea systems expert agreed that energy capture and storage advancements are game changers for industry and defense applications. He noted: “One innovation I am very excited about is seabed recharging for unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV). The tech innovations driving this capability create an environment where UUVs can work covertly over long periods of time in a threat environment providing crucial data.”
Other experts were bullish on how the undersea tech community has absorbed AI, automation and twinning advancements from the IT world to great effect. One industrial engineering expert commented that our industry was already benefiting from “advancements on the interface between the machine and human for maritime systems operating in unique environments. Regulations and complexity of the undersea environment are mandating this kind of thinking now, for the greatest near-term benefit.” Another defense tech leader noted that “model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and digital twins have helped rapidly—and cost effectively—troubleshoot issues and test new capabilities” in undersea systems.
Even more traditional undersea tech tools like sonar and related sensing technologies have gone through a strong innovation bump recently. A systems modernization expert noted that advanced sensing technologies have evolved rapidly, including “advanced sonar, acoustics innovations, improved optical sensors, LiDAR, and enhanced environmental sensors. They all have greatly improved the detection and monitoring of underwater environments.”
As undersea technology continues to evolve, the advancements that these industry leaders and experts discussed will undoubtedly play a critical role in shaping the future of undersea operations, defense strategies, and commercial applications.
To learn about these ocean and undersea tech leaders and their perspectives about undersea tech innovation, partnerships, collaboration, and more visit UTIC’s Conversations with Ocean and Undersea Tech Leaders series online.
