Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USV)

Research-focused Unmanned Surface Vehicles, or USVs, are remotely-operated or autonomous marine platforms designed for a diverse range of applications across marine science, environmental monitoring, surveying and data collection. Equipped with a variety of sensors, USVs collect data on parameters such as water quality, temperature, and atmospheric conditions.

Suppliers

Add your company
Teledyne Marine

High-Performance Instruments, Sensors & Technologies for Exploring & Monitoring Subsea Environments

CHC Navigation

Professional Marine Survey Solutions for Ultra-Efficient Hydrographic, Bathymetric & Hydrological Data Collection

Maritime Robotics

Innovative Autonomy & Uncrewed Vessel Technologies for Maritime Operations

SatLab Geosolutions

Cutting-Edge Surveying, Positioning & Sensing Solutions for Hydrographic & Oceanographic Applications

AGISTAR

Robotic & Remote-Controlled Solutions for Waste Collection, Rescue Operations, & Aquatic Data Collection

Saildrone

Autonomous Ocean Data Collection and Mapping Solutions

Kongsberg Discovery

AUVs for Environmental Mapping & Monitoring

Advanced Ocean Systems

Autonomous & Remote Systems for Offshore and Marine Operations

Showcase your capabilities

If you design, build or supply Unmanned Surface Vehicles, create a profile to showcase your capabilities on this page.

Add your company

Products

HydroBoat 1200MB USV

Integrated USV with Multibeam Sonar for Hydrographic Surveying

Integrated USV with Multibeam Sonar for Hydrographic Surveying
...ight, uncrewed surface vessel engineered for hydrographic surveying in inland and nearshore...
HydroBoat 1500

Heavy-payload USV for underwater topographic survey

Heavy-payload USV for underwater topographic survey
The HydroBoat 1500 USV is designed to carry out efficient underwater topographical surveying of lake...
HydroBoat 1200

Multi-mission USV for surveying & monitoring

Multi-mission USV for surveying & monitoring
The HydroBoat 1200 is a versatile USV designed with cutting-edge CFD technology for maximum hydrodyn...
HydroBoat 990

Single-operator USV with built-in echosounder

Single-operator USV with built-in echosounder
The HydroBoat 990 is a versatile bathymetric and hydrographic survey platform designed to be launche...
CHCNAV Apache 3 USV

Cost-effective marine survey USV with single-beam echosounder

Cost-effective marine survey USV with single-beam echosounder
CHCNAV's Apache 3 is a cost-effective USV platform designed for bathymetric surveys of lakes, rivers...
CHCNAV Apache 3 Pro USV

Enhanced survey USV with single-beam echosounder & obstacle avoidance

Enhanced survey USV with single-beam echosounder & obstacle avoidance
CHCNAV's Apache 3 Pro is an advanced USV platform that builds upon the functionality of the base Apa...
CHCNAV Apache 4 USV

Versatile hydrographic & bathymetric survey USV with ADCP options

Versatile hydrographic & bathymetric survey USV with ADCP options
The Apache 4 is a highly versatile USV designed for efficient hydrographic, bathymetric, and hydrolo...
CHCNAV Apache 6 USV

Advanced bathymetric survey USB with multibeam echosounder

Advanced bathymetric survey USB with multibeam echosounder
The Apache 6 is an advanced USV that has been optimized for high-resolution 3D bathymetric survey, u...
Otter Uncrewed Surface Vessel

Portable catamaran USV for convenient data-gathering, monitoring & surveillance

Portable catamaran USV for convenient data-gathering, monitoring & surveillance
The Otter is a highly portable catamaran USV that has been designed for convenient transportation an...
Mariner Uncrewed Surface Vessel

Durable heavy payload USV for autonomous and remote-controlled operations

Durable heavy payload USV for autonomous and remote-controlled operations
The Mariner is a durable mid-sized USV that has been designed for coastal and offshore operations, o...
Mariner X Uncrewed Surface Vessel

Long-endurance USV with 1200 kg capacity & customizable back deck

Long-endurance USV with 1200 kg capacity & customizable back deck
The Mariner X is a long-endurance USV with an impressive payload capacity of 1200 kg, featuring adva...
BX-USV II

Lightweight autonomous surface vessel for multi-sensor aquatic operations

Lightweight autonomous surface vessel for multi-sensor aquatic operations
...ation uncrewed surface vessel designed for highly adaptable deployment in inland and coastal waters....
BX USV

Highly reconfigurable USV with enhanced mission endurance

Highly reconfigurable USV with enhanced mission endurance
The BX-USV is a compact and lightweight autonomous robotic platform designed to offer a low-cost and...
AGISTAR CLEANER

Portable USV for effective cleanup of floating waste & debris

Portable USV for effective cleanup of floating waste & debris
The AGISTAR CLEANER is a lightweight and easy-to-deploy robotic solution for cleanup of floating was...

Overview

Last updated:

What is a USV?

Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) are robotic systems that operate on the water’s surface without a human crew onboard.

HydroBoat 1200 Multi-mission USV by SatLab Geosolutions

HydroBoat 1200 Multi-mission USV by SatLab Geosolutions

Functioning autonomously or operated remotely, unmanned surface vehicles utilize advanced navigation systems, communication technologies, and sensors to carry out a wide variety of tasks. These vessels are manufactured specifically to undertake missions that are often too expensive, time-consuming, or dangerous for humans.

USV & AUV Navigation
USV and AUV (Autonomous Surface Vehicles) can be equipped with sophisticated AI and machine learning technology for navigation of complex environments, obstacle avoidance, and for making in-the-water decisions without requiring human intervention.

High-accuracy inertial navigation and GPS systems enable precise USV route planning and positioning in challenging conditions.

USV Design & Payloads
USVs are often built with modular designs and payload bays, to facilitate the quick integration of technology and sensors such as cameras, environmental monitoring tools, and sonar.

Modern communication systems enable operators to control USVs from crewed vessels or from land, supplying live video feeds and data updates.

Robust Construction
USVs are developed to withstand extreme marine conditions. They are usually manufactured using hard-wearing materials that are resistant to collisions and corrosion. In addition, fail-safes and redundant systems aim to provide reliability and continuous operation, even in adverse environments.

Unmanned Surface Vessel Applications

USVs are ideally suited to a range of defense and security applications, in particular surveillance and reconnaissance in and offshore installations, harbors, and coastal areas, able to equip radar and cameras to identify and monitor potential threats. In addition to this, surface robotics can be utilized for mine countermeasure operations, deployed to locate and neutralize naval mines to provide safe passage for larger vessels.

In marine research, particularly environmental monitoring, USVs are crucial for their ability to collect valuable and detailed datasets on water temperature, quality, and marine life, without the cost or risks associated with human data collection. Uncrewed and autonomous surface vessels are also key technologies for hydrographic surveys, mapping the seafloor with high-resolution sonar and supporting the study of underwater geography. 

Inspection and maintenance are crucial capabilities in commercial shipping, specifically for the hulls of ships, underwater pipelines, and offshore platforms. USVs can detect potential issues and reduce the need for manned dives. Emerging applications include using USVs for cargo logistics and transport, notably in areas where conventional shipping methods are impractical.

The aftermath of natural disasters can see USVs quickly delivering supplies, assessing damage, and locating survivors, carrying out search and rescue operations in conditions that would be dangerous for humans or crewed vessels. This emergency support capability in disaster response is incredibly important, with USVs also able to aid in day-to-day maritime search and rescue operations, designed as a rapid response capability that improves mission effectiveness.

Last updated:

Related Articles

Advanced USV to Boost Maritime Surveillance for Kuwait Coast Guard

Ocean Infinity has launched its NeedleFish USV with the Kuwaiti Coast Guard, enhancing Kuwait’s maritime surveillance through advanced autonomous technology

Jul 10, 2025
AGISTAR BX-USV Supports University Research & Development in Autonomous Marine Systems

AGISTAR explains how the BX-USV provides an accessible, modular platform for university research, helping students build, test, and operate autonomous systems in real-world marine environments

Jul 09, 2025
USV Over-the-Horizon Survey Capabilities Demonstrated in Malaysia

OceanAlpha’s L25 USV has completed a 33km offshore survey in Malaysia, demonstrating autonomous navigation, real-time data transmission, and advanced sensor integration for long-range marine surveys

Jul 08, 2025
SatLab Showcases Marine Survey & Geospatial Technologies at CSPI-EXPO 2025

SatLab Geosolutions presented its full range of geospatial solutions at CSPI-EXPO 2025 in Chiba, Japan, highlighting integrated technologies for surveying and hydrographic applications

Jul 07, 2025
Joint USV–AUV Mission Enhances Deep-Sea Exploration Capabilities

Exail and Ifremer successfully conducted a joint mission integrating USV DriX and AUV Ulyx, advancing autonomous deep-sea exploration and sensor technology validation

Jun 20, 2025
Hybrid USV Acquired for Extended Survey Operations

GOSL Nigeria boosts its offshore survey capabilities with HydroSurv’s REAV 47 USV, combining advanced sensors and hybrid endurance for versatile uncrewed operations

Jun 20, 2025
SatLab Unveils New USV with Integrated Multibeam Echo Sounder

SatLab Geosolutions is introducing the HydroBoat 1200MB, a portable unmanned surface vessel (USV) equipped with the HydroBeam M2 multibeam echo sounder for accurate bathymetric mapping

Jun 11, 2025
Unmanned Surface Vessel Powers Innovation in Offshore & Port Operations

OceanAlpha's L25 Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) was recently showcased in Dubai, presenting integrated solutions tailored for the energy and maritime industries

Jun 10, 2025
Q&A: AGISTAR Enhances Ocean Science with Modular, Eco-Efficient USVs

OST talks to AGISTAR about enhancing efficiency and sustainability in ocean science through cutting-edge robotic technology

Jun 09, 2025