Research for future oceans
Marine autonomy
Driving safe and sustainable exploitation of the growing global ocean economy
The University of Plymouth has been working in the development and application of marine autonomous systems for over 30 years. Extensive marine and maritime expertise, world-class facilities, strong industry partnerships and coastal deployment capabilities provide an unrivalled ecosystem to transform ocean observation at a significantly lower cost and environmental impact.
Explore our expertise
Configuring autonomous systems for a range of applications, from environmental monitoring to defence and commercial operations.
System integration and sensor fusion
Developing autonomous systems that combine multiple sensors for enhanced situational awareness, including sonar, LiDAR, and AI-driven data processing.
Environmental intelligence
Using autonomous platforms to collect and analyse real-time environmental data to support climate resilience, marine conservation, and offshore industries.
Fleet operations and control
Advancing the coordination of autonomous systems for complex missions to enable persistent and cyber-secure operations.
System integration and sensor fusion
Designing and configuring autonomous platforms that can operate seamlessly in complex marine environments. By integrating multiple sensor technologies, we enhance real-time environmental monitoring, situational awareness, and operational efficiency.
Working closely with industry and government partners, the University develops intelligent, networked systems capable of adaptive learning and multi-platform coordination. This helps to advance the next generation of uncrewed surface and subsurface vehicles, remote sensing solutions, and AI-driven decision support systems.
Our researchers
Explore our research projects
SAIMAS – Secure AI within Marine Autonomy Systems
Improving the cyber resilience of AI and marine autonomy systems
SeXTANt (Secure X Trustworthy AI Navigation)
Cyber-securing maritime autonomous surface ships
Environmental intelligence
By integrating cutting-edge sensor technologies with autonomous platforms, we can collect real-time, high-resolution data on ocean conditions, biodiversity, and climate change impacts. This integration allows researchers to better understand how our marine environments are changing and to respond more effectively.
Our researchers
Explore our research projects
Development of a Marine Autonomous Remote Sampler (MARS)
Delivering real-time assessments of the South West’s bathing water quality
Towards net zero
Developing AI-enabled biological observing
Fleet operations and control
Developing innovative methods to coordinate autonomous marine systems for complex, multi-platform missions. By enhancing communication, decision-making, and task allocation across assets, we will enable persistent, scalable ocean monitoring through autonomous networks that can adapt to dynamic conditions in both coastal and offshore environments.
Our researchers
Marine science and defence were early adopters of marine autonomy, and Plymouth, home to the largest Navy base in Europe and boasting the University’s marine science pedigree, has developed the city’s leading technological capability. Our research and innovation focus on configuring autonomous systems for various applications, including offshore renewable energy data capture, environmental monitoring, and ensuring UK defence and security through the monitoring of critical national infrastructure and providing solutions for wide-area geo-intelligence.
Mr Kevin Forshaw
Director of Marine Business Development
Our research groups
Discover our state-of-the-art facilities
The University boasts a range of cutting-edge research facilities to support marine autonomous systems development, including:
Maritime Simulation Lab
A virtual lab with a state-of-the-art Kongsberg K-Sim Dynamic Positioning Simulator that can test and optimise real-world maritime operations, free from environmental, regulatory or operational restrictions.
Cyber-SHIP
Nationally unique research facility dedicated to enhancing maritime cyber security. It provides an unrivalled environment for investigating cyber vulnerabilities in modern ships and maritime systems, including autonomous vessels.
Autonomous Systems Test Laboratory
The laboratory is designed to test diverse technologies, including robots, autonomous and teleoperated vehicles, and wearable devices. It provides a controlled environment for the safe operation, testing, and analysis of these systems.
COAST Lab
The lab provides physical model testing with combined waves, currents and wind, offered at scales appropriate for device testing, array testing, environmental modelling and coastal engineering.
Marine Station
The University of Plymouth's Marine Station is a teaching and research facility located on the shores of Plymouth Sound. Designed to support a wide range of marine science and engineering activities, it provides direct access to coastal and offshore environments. The station features modern laboratories, lecture rooms, and a wet lab, as well as pontoons and a fleet of vessels for fieldwork and practical training.
The Marine Station serves as a hub for marine autonomy innovation. Acting as the launchpad for a fleet of autonomous and crewed vessels and boasting a recently re-fitted Remote Operations Centre, this facility supports our work in autonomous ocean science and sustainable maritime technology.
Our vessels and equipment
We manage and operate a fleet of research vessels and marine autonomy equipment, enabling advanced testing, system integration, and real-world deployment of autonomous technologies for ocean research and environmental monitoring.
Uncrewed surface vessels (USVs)
-
C-Worker 4 (CETUS) – 4m long industrial work-class USV built in 2018, used for teaching and marine survey, very recently fitted with Starlink Satcoms to enable over-the-horizon operations. - Yellow Pig – 2.3m long, in-house built USV built in 2017, used for teaching and marine survey.
- Red Pig – 2.5m long, in-house built USV built in 2025, used for teaching and marine survey.
- SurfJet USV – 0.9m long, in-house built USV built in 2024, used for survey in surfzone environments.
-
Yellow Tin – 0.7m long, commercially built USV, used for teaching, marine survey and AI experiments.
Royal Navy-owned assets: - CEnduro (BAUZA) – 4.7m long industrial work class long endurance USV built in 2017. The first ever Royal Navy uncrewed vessel operated from another country (UK – Portugal) by the University of Plymouth in 2023.
- Otter – 1.6m long survey USV, coded under DMR regulations, used extensively for teaching and harbour survey work.
C-Worker 4 (CETUS)
Yellow Pig
Red Pig
SurfJet
Otter
CEnduro (BAUZA)
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
- 2 SEABER YUCO carriers – 0.9m long commercial built AUV, used for teaching and experimentation in AI and underwater positioning, and environmental monitoring.
Royal Navy-owned assets:
- YUCO – CTD micro AUV, used for teaching and environmental monitoring.
- YUCO – sidescan micro AUV, used for teaching and survey work.
- YUCO – passive acoustic micro AUV, used for teaching and environmental monitoring.
- ecoSUB – AUV used for teaching and survey work.
Seaber Yuco
ecoSUB
Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and towed arrays
Falcon DR ROV System is a state-of-the-art remotely operated vehicle, equipped with an HD video camera and various manipulator arms. There are two 14mm OD umbilical cables: a 330m cable (terminated onto a hand winch) and a 1,100m cable (not on a winch or terminated at present). The whole system is rated at 1,000m and is a highly customised research ROV used for oceanographic and biological research. It is also suitable for use in filming.
This ROV is an upgraded, custom-made version of the Saab Seaeye Falcon and is equipped with:
- TRITECH obstacle avoidance sonar
- 4 LED lights
- SEAEYE colour video camera
- HDTV Camera mounted on a skid
- Skid-Mounted Five-Function Hydraulic Manipulator System
- Valeport Modus CTD sensor
- Link Quest USBL system.
Other systems include:
- Deep Ocean Phantom XTL – used for environmental monitoring.
- Video Ray ROV – used for mussel farm monitoring in Lyme Bay.
- Blue Robotics ROV – used for environmental monitoring.
- Two Deep Trekker ROVs – used for teaching.
.jpg)
ROV deployment
Operations centre onboard Falcon Spirit
Falcon DR ROV System
Phantom XTL
Uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs)
UAVs to enable topographic surveying with high spatial coverage and resolution:
- DJI-Phantom 4 Pro – UAV used for the collection of topographic survey data using structure from motion (SFM) imagery.
- DJI-Phantom 4 Pro RTK – UAV with onboard RTK-GPS geo-location used for collection of topographic survey data using structure from motion (SFM) imagery.
- DJI Mavic Pro – UAV used for collection of topographic survey data using structure from motion (SFM) imagery.
DJI Mavic Pro
DJI-Phantom 4 Pro
Photogrammetry image of Start Bay
Remote Operations Centre (ROC)
Located in the
Marine Station
, the ROC is a state-of-the-art facility supporting the control, monitoring, and coordination of autonomous and remotely operated marine systems. The centre enables real-time mission planning and data acquisition from vessels, uncrewed surface and underwater platforms, and sensor networks, allowing students, scientists, and industry partners to conduct complex marine operations remotely, enhancing safety, efficiency, and the scope of ocean observation and marine autonomy research.
Remote Operations Centre
Students in ROC
Support vessels
A fully-equipped
fleet of boats
, the latest instrumentation, specialist software to support our autonomous marine operations:
- RV Falcon Spirit – a 14-metre aluminium catamaran configured as a flexible platform for teaching and research. It is used extensively for oceanographic and biological sampling and hydrographic surveys.
- Take The Helm – a Dufor 445 sail training vessel, coded to sail 60 nautical miles from a safe haven, and equipped with a galley, teaching area, six berths, all modern navigational aids and a heater.
- Wavedancer – a South Cat 11 metre (36 feet) Mk11 Catamaran, multi-purpose survey vessel, set-up with the most up-to-date navigational and electronic equipment and a versatile and configurable deck space.
- JoJo – a support vessel coded to work up to 60 miles from safe haven, cruises at a speed of approximately 14 knots and can carry 12 passengers and two crew.
- Polar Cirkel work boats – small powerboats, used in various dive support, student and research project sampling and coastal survey roles.
-
ZENOW RS Pulse – a 6.3m electric rigid inflatable boat, loaned to the University as a part of the
Zero Emission Network of Workboats (ZENOW) project.
Falcon Spirit
Wavedancer
ZENOW RS Pulse
What makes Plymouth a hub for marine autonomy?
Internationally recognised as a prime location for developing experimental technologies and research methodologies, Plymouth offers a unique blend of natural assets and cutting-edge research infrastructure seamlessly integrated into its port and offshore environment. With a deep-water port, diverse coastal landscapes, and Smart Sound Plymouth – the UK’s premier testbed for advanced marine technologies – the city provides an unrivalled setting for the real-world development and testing of autonomous systems.
The most heavily instrumented stretch of ocean in the world
1,000 km2 of authorised, directly accessible and deep-water space provides private 4G and 5G communication networks above water, and a new subsea acoustic navigation and communication network below.
Facilitating trials of novel autonomous platforms, sensors and sampling methodologies underpinned by decades of in situ sampling, remote sensing and environmental modelling.
How University of Plymouth strategic partnerships drive innovation
Partnership with the Royal Navy
The University and the Royal Navy have been collaborating since 2021 to advance research in marine autonomy and maritime cyber security. This partnership has now been expanded to include floating offshore wind (FLOW) and artificial intelligence (AI).
FAST Cluster
Collaborating with leading industrial and academic partners specialising in the delivery of innovative marine autonomous solutions, such as surface and sub-surface autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, smart ports, and cyber security.
Marine Research Plymouth Alliance (MRP)
Combining globally renowned capabilities of the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth Marine Laboratory and the University of Plymouth, MRP is the UK’s largest cluster of marine science researchers and cutting-edge facilities.
Delivering world-leading capability in coastal autonomy
Founded by the Marine Research Plymouth Alliance, the NCCA comprises a fleet of state-of-the-art surface autonomous vessels, sub-surface coastal platforms and sophisticated scientific buoys integrated on a unique high-speed marine communications network.
This combination of innovation and new technology will deliver the UK’s first autonomous coastal observing system.
Study marine autonomy
Postgraduate study
Our students can explore marine autonomous systems through the Applied Marine Autonomy module, which introduces them to platforms for marine environmental data collection. It focuses on the appropriate use of platforms, covering theory of operation and developing practical skills in autonomous marine data collection through workshops and fieldwork. The module also allows direct interaction with scientific researchers and industry practitioners through seminars.
Study this module with:
