bg
News
12:41, 24 February 2026
views
7

Autonomous Underwater Drones Set to Go on Sale in Russia

The devices are designed to inspect structural wear and detect defects faster than human divers.

Photo: iStock

Underwater drones developed at Sevastopol State University are expected to go on sale in Russia in 2026, Dmitry Gachko, founder of ITG Corporation, which acquired the development rights from the university, said.

The underwater systems can assess structural wear and identify defects more efficiently than divers, while also performing a range of other inspection tasks.

According to Gachko, the technology has been brought close to commercial launch. Private service companies that provide port infrastructure inspection services in Russia have already expressed interest in the devices.

Autonomy, Sonar, and Navigation System

As Robocorp CEO Alexey Chuklin explained, the remotely operated unmanned underwater vehicles use six thrusters instead of eight, making them more compact and energy-efficient while maintaining high maneuverability. The battery capacity has been increased, extending the system’s operational endurance underwater.

“High-demand equipment has been added, including a side-scan sonar for operation in low-visibility conditions and a hydroacoustic navigation system to determine the vehicle’s position. The software is also continuously upgraded, including enhancements to the system’s intelligent capabilities. In effect, this integrated hardware and software platform can carry out a wide range of underwater missions,” Chuklin added.

like
heart
fun
wow
sad
angry
Latest news
Important
Recommended
previous
next