Robosys and FarSounder partner on new superyacht situational awareness solution

Robosys Automation, an autonomous navigation and vessel control systems provider, has announced the integration of its VOYAGER AI™ autonomous navigation software with FarSounder’s Argos 3D Forward Looking Sonar (3DFLS) technology.

The integration combines VOYAGER AI's intelligent navigation, route planning, collision avoidance, and autonomous vessel control capabilities with FarSounder's 3D forward-looking sonar technology. Vessels fitted with this integrated capability are able to detect, track, and autonomously navigate around both surface and subsurface hazards. The system continuously incorporates sonar-derived information into VOYAGER AI's decision-making framework, supporting safe navigation in poorly charted waters, remote anchorages, and complex coastal environments.

Aditya Nawab, CEO of Robosys Automation, described the combination as an important step towards intelligent maritime operations. "The ability to combine above-water sensor data with real-time underwater subsea awareness enhances navigation safety and provides operators with greater confidence when operating in challenging environments," he said in a statement.

FarSounder's technology generates a three-dimensional view of the seabed and underwater obstacles ahead of the vessel, providing critical underwater perception that traditional echo sounders and charts alone do not deliver. By feeding this data into the VOYAGER AI autonomy stack, vessels and crew get a more complete understanding of navigational risks. The combination also aligns with the superyacht industry's trend towards greater automation and intelligent decision support on board.

The integration offers significant advantages for USV operators, where autonomous and remotely supervised vessels frequently operate in areas where underwater hazards present operational risks. By incorporating forward-looking sonar data into VOYAGER AI's autonomous navigation engine, USVs can achieve enhanced mission safety, improved route optimisation, and increased operational resilience.

"Autonomous navigation is only as capable as the information available to the system. By bringing Argos 3D sonar’s real-time underwater perception into the VOYAGER AI autonomy stack, vessels can extend their situational awareness below the surface and into the water ahead," said Matthew Zimmerman, CEO of FarSounder. "Integration of complementary sensor technologies is important for crewed and uncrewed vessels. This integration demonstrates how vessels can have a more complete understanding of their environment, helping them navigate with greater confidence and safety."