Marine autonomy

Powering the safe and sustainable exploration and exploitation of our ocean
USV Cetus and Falcon Spirit

Marine autonomy

Powering the safe and sustainable exploration and exploitation of our ocean
 
 
 
Close-up view of huge ocean waves 1280 - 720

A new wave of innovation 

Marine autonomy is transforming the way we operate, explore and work in our ocean. It is enabling us to enhance our global knowledge and security, and to create exciting new opportunities for people and our planet.
 

Our expertise


The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ has been working in the development and application of marine autonomous systems (MAS) for over 30 years. 
Our extensive marine and maritime expertise, world-class facilities, industry partnerships, coastal deployment capabilities, and unrivalled training opportunities provide an ecosystem that is reimagining ocean observation.
We configure autonomous systems for a range of applications, from environmental monitoring to defence and commercial operations. 
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ vessels on test patrol in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ sound with network overlay
Centre for Marine Autonomy, Maritime Cyber Security and Technology (CMAST)
Aerial view of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Sound
Delivering on the UK’s defence and security priorities
Immersive visualisation in the Immersive Visualisation Theatre
Creative coastal innovation
 
 
 

Why Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­?

Aerial view of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Sound

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­: the UK's National Centre for Marine Autonomy 

The University plays a key role in the (NCMA), which is ensuring the UK is at the forefront of this fastest-growing area of dual-use technology.
Anchored in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ – Britain’s Ocean City – the NCMA is an all-encompassing ecosystem comprising the largest naval base in Western Europe, large and small industries, cutting-edge science and development, and world-leading facilities.

In this new article in , Professor Matthew Palmer and Professor Misha Myers discuss the importance of the industry at a regional, national and international level and how the University is integral to its aims of transforming our understanding of the ocean, our national resilience, and our energy security.
The article also features CEO Anahita Laverack, who explains how the University’s graduate talent, research capabilities and business support have contributed to her company’s growth. It explores how the expanding maritime sector will create new opportunities for students and graduates across a diverse range of fields, including engineering, marine science and creative disciplines.
Still image from a dome video showing a boat in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Sound
 
 

Discover our state-of-the-art facilities

The University boasts a range of cutting-edge research facilities to support marine autonomous systems development, including: 

Marine Station
Marine Station
A hub for marine autonomy innovation and the launchpad for a fleet of autonomous and crewed vessels, it boasts a Remote Operations Centre and supports our work across all areas of autonomous ocean science and sustainable maritime technology.
Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS) equipment: installing an underwater acoustic communications and navigation array
Smart Sound Connect Subsurface (SSCS)
A real-world marine test and demonstration environment for subsea innovation, marine autonomy and ocean sensing.
Autonomous Systems Test Lab
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 wind generator (UKFOWTT)
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.

Maritime Simulation Laboratory
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 Lab
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.
Immersive Visualisation Suite used to examine an engine design
Immersive Visualisation Suite
A hybrid, virtual reality-enabled visualisation system that offers powerful tools like ParaView software to enhance data interaction
CROWN Lab
CROWN Lab
The world's first dedicated offshore wind cybersecurity research, test and development facility. 
 
 
 

A new generation of maritime careers

Marine autonomy is about creating new opportunities for people.
For centuries, working at sea has meant spending long periods offshore: the future marine and maritime workforce will be more agile, more diverse, more creative.
While some people go to sea, others will operate vessels from shore, develop autonomous systems, analyse ocean data, maintain robotic platforms, build new technologies, and solve problems. They will design simulations and digital twins, create immersive training environments, visualise complex systems, and help people understand and interact with the ocean and all the systems functioning within it.


FRONTLINE researcher trialling marine autonomous systems
Engineering
Designing vessels, propulsion systems, sensors, communications and autonomous platforms.
Robotics
Building machines that can perceive their environment, move through it and interact with the ocean.
AI & machine learning
Teaching systems to interpret complex environments and make better decisions.
Cybersecurity
Protecting increasingly connected vessels, ports and offshore infrastructure.
Remote operations
Creating systems and control centres that let shore teams monitor and manage autonomous vessels.
Marine science & ocean intelligence
Using autonomous systems to explore the oceans, analyse data and generate insights into weather, infrastructure, logistics and marine ecosystems.
Creative industries
Designing innovative communications, experiences, products, interfaces, and services; creating simulations, visualisations, and immersive training environments.
Business, project management and entrepreneurship
Turning innovative ideas into businesses and leading the projects and partnerships that bring marine autonomy to life.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Study opportunities


We deliver a wide range of educational pathways that can provide you with the skills, ideas and fresh perspectives needed to drive innovation, unlock new opportunities and shape the future of marine autonomy.
Student with Seaber marine autonomous drone
Cetus in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Sound
Designer working on port simulation
Falcon Spirit
 
Our students can explore marine autonomous systems through the Applied Marine Autonomy module, which focuses on the appropriate use of platforms for marine environmental data collection, 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:
 
 

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ offers a comprehensive and flexible portfolio of training programmes in marine autonomous systems, tailored to your specific needs. We provide short courses (1–5 days), as well as in-depth programmes delivered either intensively or over several weeks, through undergraduate and postgraduate modules. Where appropriate, our courses are delivered in collaboration with industry-leading practitioners to ensure cutting-edge content and practical relevance.
As the Maritime and Coastguard Agency develops official MAS training standards, our programmes will align with these emerging requirements to ensure compliance and best practice. 
Remote Operations Centre
 
 
 

Get in touch with our experts