Underwater Robotics Market Size, Share and Trends 2026 to 2035

Revenue, 2025

USD 6.70 Bn

Forecast Year, 2035

USD 26.17 Bn

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

14.60%

Report Coverage

Global

What is Underwater Robotics Market Size in 2026?

The global underwater robotics market size was calculated at USD 6.70 billion in 2025 and is predicted to increase from USD 7.68 billion in 2026 to approximately USD 26.17 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 14.60% from 2026 to 2035.Underwater robotics is essential for exploring, monitoring, and working in ocean depths to overcome human limitations and ocean challenges. The market is expanding due to its applications in marine science and environmental research, as well as in defense and security. It is extensively utilized in offshore energy extraction processes, including oil, gas, and renewable energy.

Key Takeaways

• Europe dominated the underwater robotics market with the largest share 35% in 2025.
• Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the market during the forecast period.
• By type, the remotely operated vehicles (ROV) segment generated the biggest market share of 82% in 2025.
• By type, the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) segment is expected to expand rapidly in the market in the coming years.
• By application, the commercial exploration segment accounted for the highest revenue share in the market in 2025.
• By application, the scientific research segment is expected to witness significant growth in the market over the forecast period.

What is the Underwater Robotics Market?

Underwater robots have emerged as technologically advanced machines that have significantly expanded their capacity to explore and interact with the underwater world. These tools are pivotal in various sectors for work which are considered expensive or too dangerous for humans.

It includes remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). These robots are equipped with sensors, cameras, and application-specific tools enabling them to navigate gathered data and manipulate objects in the aquatic environment. The market is experiencing a transformative shift driven by increasing applications across various sectors and advancements in technology to enhance operational efficiency and autonomy, driving further market growth.

What is the Role of AI in the Underwater Robotics Market?

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a powerful role as an enabler of next-generation ocean exploration. Combined with cutting-edge underwater machinery, AI is revolutionizing the field of oceanography. With smart sensors, AI algorithms navigate complex underwater terrains while avoiding obstacles and adapting to a changing environment in real time. They operate in extreme environments for extended periods, helping with the collection of vast amounts of data from ocean water columns and deep-sea habitats.Key applications include inspection and maintenance of pipelines and wind turbines in energy and infrastructure, seabed and deep-sea mapping, and ecologicalstudy in scientific research, as well as mine detection and security operations in defense and surveillance, potentiating market growth.

What are the Trends in the Underwater Robotics Market?

• Adoption and Integration of AI and Autonomy:AI is swiftly revolutionizing the domain of oceanography and underwater robotics. Utilizing AI, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) can effectively map their environment, detect obstacles, and determine a course based on real-time environmental information. Additionally, it aids in analyzing underwater imagery and acoustic data to recognize marine species, observe their behavior, and estimate population sizes. Furthermore, it contributes to the assessment of ocean temperature, salinity, currents, and pH levels.
• Increasing Growth in Offshore Energy and Mining:Underwater robots play a crucial role in offshore technology development, including wind, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. These robots significantly reduce the risk of accidents by performing complex tasks without human presence. They also help mitigate costs by enhancing operational efficiency, reducing downtime, and lowering overall project cost.
• Integration of Advanced Sensing and Imaging:Effective underwater sensing and imaging are crucial for environmental protection and sustainable energy transition, including challenges such as marine ecosystem monitoring, efficient energy infrastructure, and resource management. With advanced sensors, robots help in gathering high-quality data while providing real-time insights critical for decision-making. With efficient operations, such as navigation, manipulation, and exploration, it minimizes the environmental impact.

Market Scope

Segmental Insights

Type Insights

Which Type Segment Dominated the Underwater Robotics Market?

The remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) segment contributed the biggest revenue share of the market in 2025, as they perform high-risk, critical, and complex tasks in underwater and hazardous environments. They are used in various industries such as oil and gas, marine research, and underwater construction. With advanced camera systems and sensors, they are also used for underwater inspection and monitoring. They can remain underwater for an extended period, providing continuous monitoring, high-quality data, and helping in real-time decision-making, thereby augmenting the segment's growth.

The autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) segment is expected to grow with the highest CAGR in the market during the studied years, as AUV is more cost-effective, provide high resolution, and is safe for underwater data collection without human intervention. AUV is also used in surveying and mapping for geological studies and maritime navigation. In infrastructure, it plays a vital role in monitoring pipelines and cables to detect damage. In oceanography, it is crucial for gathering data, tracking climate change, and monitoring ecosystems, thereby contributing to the segment's expansion.

Application Insights

Which Application Segment Led the Underwater Robotics Market?

The commercial exploration segment held the largest revenue share of the market in 2025, due to the expansion of offshore energy and mining, technological advancements, and resource exploration. With the increasing demand for oil and gas and renewable energy, the development of advanced robots is increasing to maintain, install, and repair infrastructure. Combined with AI navigation and real-time data acquisition improves operational accuracy and reduces costs. Additionally, the growing demand for marine mineral exploration is pushing companies to utilize robots to extract resources, thereby fostering the segment's growth.

The scientific research segment is expected to show lucrative growth in the market over the forecast period. The growth factors include environment and climate monitoring, deep sea exploration, government funding, technological advancements, and cost-effective data collection. Researchers and scientific organizations extensively use underwater robots to monitor the marine ecosystem, study climate change, and assess biodiversity. Furthermore, with advanced sensors and high-resolution imaging, long-duration research is conducted without human intervention.

Regional Insights

Europe Underwater Robotics Market Size and Growth 2026 to 2035

The Europe underwater robotics market size is expected to be worth USD 9.29 billion by 2035, increasing from USD 2.35 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 14.73% from 2026 to 2035.

Why Europe Dominated the Underwater Robotics Market?

Europe held a major revenue share of the market in 2025. The market drivers include technological advancements, R&D investments, offshore renewable energy and oil and gas, defense and security applications, marine research and environmental monitoring, and supporting infrastructure and regulation. With the presence of strong key players, Europe also has strong R&D and advanced manufacturing capabilities. Furthermore, with offshore renewable energy projects, demand for ROVs and AUVs is increasing for inspections and maintenance. In sustainability and development, Europe is committed to improving ocean sustainability and environmental research, enhancing market growth.

Norway Market Trends

Norway is an innovator and premier user of underwater robots, especially for offshore wind farm maintenance, aquaculture, and subsea oil exploration. In marine research, aquaculture, and oil and gas, robots are highly used to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability. They are also used for monitoring pollution in marine ecosystems for environmental protection. Due to the country's harsh environmental conditions, ROVs and autonomous drones are highly used in the inspection of oil and gas pipelines and offshore wind farms.

How Will Asia-Pacific Grow in the Underwater Robotics Market?

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth during the predicted timeframe. Key drivers include technological advancements and manufacturing, offshore energy and infrastructure, defense and security, deep-sea mining and exploration, and environmental management. Extensive coastlines, rapid industrialization, and massive investment in offshore energy are driving the market further.

India Market Trends

India is experiencing rapid market growth with significant government funding directed towards maritime surveillance, offshore oil exploration, and coastal security. The market growth factors also include port and infrastructure maintenance, deep sea resource exploration, strategic naval defense, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and the “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” push. India is extensively using AI-powered underwater robotics to explore and extract valuable minerals from the sea. With the presence of a vast coastline, India heavily uses robotics in anti-submarine warfare to secure against regional threats and maintain a fast-growing port infrastructure.

Will North America Grow in the Underwater Robotics Market?

North America is expected to grow at a considerable CAGR over the studied period, due to the rising adoption of advanced technologies, favorable government support, and increasing R&D investments. The increasing adoption of underwater robotics for diverse applications, such as energy, aquaculture, and security foster market growth. The presence of key players and evolving regulatory landscapes also contributes to the market. The region makes constant efforts for autonomous port monitoring for security, environmental compliance, and operational awareness.

U.S. Market Trends

Key players, such as Blue Robotics, Nauticus Robotics, and Blue Atlas Robotics, are the major developers of underwater robotics in the U.S. The National Science Foundation is a U.S. governmental body that funds research programs that develop AUVs. In June 2024, researchers at the Minnesota Interactive Robotics and Vision Laboratory developed AUVs that are powered by AI to collect vast amounts of data, provide detailed insights into species distribution, and create comprehensive habitat maps for understanding environmental drivers. (Source: https://www.nsf.gov/news/ai-powered-underwater-robots-revolutionize-marine)

Which Factors Drive the Underwater Robotics Market in the Middle East and Africa?

The Middle East and Africa are expected to grow at a notable CAGR in the foreseeable future. Market growth is driven by growing research and development activities, the increasing demand for the indigenous development of advanced tools, and rapidly advancing energy and aquaculture industries. The increasing investments in offshore oil and gas investments, rising maritime needs, and environmental monitoring in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia also propel market growth.

Underwater Robotics MarketValue Chain Analysis

• Raw Material Sourcing

It includes securing durable high-strength materials capable of withstanding deep-sea pressures, low temperatures, and corrosive saltwater environments, such as stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and specialized plastics.

Key Players - Deep Ocean Engineering, Saab AB, Kongsberg Maritime

• Component Fabrication and Machining

It includes delivering high-precision, customized, and reliable components for underwater robotics for durable, corrosion-resistant, and pressure-tolerant materials.

Key Players - Saab AB, International Submarine Engineering, Bluefin Robotics

• Testing And Certification

It includes testing and certification to ensure that the robot operates safely, effectively, and reliably in a harsh underwater environment.

Key Players - Kongsberg Maritime, Intertek, Teledyne Marine, Saab AB

• Distribution And Sales

It includes supply chain management, marketing strategies, and purchasing various models from manufacturers to end users.

Key Players - Blue Robotics, ECA Group, Kongsberg Maritime, Deep Ocean Engineering Inc.

• Maintenance And After-Sales Service

It includes regular maintenance and repairs essential for underwater robots due to the harsh environment and to reduce downtime.

Key Players - Kongsberg Maritime, Deep Ocean Engineering Inc., Ocean Robotix, Atlantis Marine

Underwater Robotics Market Companies

• Saab AB
• Oceaneering International
• Kongsberg Gruppen
• Fugro
• Teledyne Technologies
• ECA Group
• International Submarine Engineering (ISE)
• Atlas Elektronik
• TechnipFMC plc
• Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD)
• VideoRay LLC
• Deep Ocean Engineering Inc.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems
• Ocean Infinity
• Nauticus Robotics
• Saronic
• Abyss Solutions
• Saildrone
• Planys Technologies
• Planetary Ocean Defense Systems Corp (PODS)
• Lobster Robotics
• Dolobot
• Planys Technologies
• Rovco
• Saildrone
• Anduril Industries
• Hydromea SA
• Impossible Metals
• AquaHub

Segments Covered in the Report

By Type

• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROVs)
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUVs)

By Application

• Defense And Security
• Commercial Exploration
• Scientific Research
• Other

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa