ACUA Ocean has been awarded a European Space Agency (ESA) contract, supported by the UK Space Agency, to advance their “nested robotic” system for subsea inspection, deployed from USV PIONEER.

The project will accelerate ACUA’s development of Pioneer-class autonomous USV capabilities to launch and recover (LAR) remotely operated subsea vehicles (ROVs). This “nested robotics” (robot-deploying-robot) solution will expand the capabilities of uncrewed solutions for the offshore energy and subsea inspection industries.

“This contract marks a significant milestone for ACUA Ocean,” said Neil Tinmouth, CEO at ACUA Ocean. “By combining subsea robotics with ACUA’s inherently stable uncrewed surface vehicle, with global, satellite-enabled control, we can provide safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective access to subsea inspection across multiple sectors.”

The system will use multiple satcoms solutions along with GNSS, allowing for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) remote control, data transfer and positioning of the vessel, and subsequent remote operation of the tethered ROV. The bonding of networks will also allow the USV to utilise the bandwidth of all available connections together rather than switching, preserving C2 links even in the event of primary network degradation. These space-enabled technologies will allow PIONEER to deliver enhanced robotic services for offshore wind inspection, subsea cable maintenance, defense reconnaissance, and ocean science.

The announcement of the contract comes after the recent announcement that the UK Space Agency is to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry. The changes will bring together the people who shape space policy and those who deliver it, cutting duplication, reducing bureaucracy and delivering greater impact for the UK space community and SMEs.

Dr Shuxiu Zhang, Head of Space Applications and Data at the UK Space Agency said:
“This project demonstrates how space-enabled technologies, such as satellite communications and GNSS, can transform maritime operations and deliver cross-sector impact. By supporting ACUA Ocean’s nested robotics system, we’re advancing high-impact applications that enhance safety, reduce emissions, and reinforce UK leadership in autonomous systems across maritime and aerospace. It reflects the Space Industrial Plan’s shift towards commercially driven innovation, where space capabilities catalyse growth, resilience, and national advantage beyond the space sector.”

The contract follows PIONEER’s recent certification under the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s Workboat Code Edition 3 Annex 2, a world-first approval for a remotely operated vessel. The new contract will accelerate commercial deployment of nested robotic systems and strengthen ACUA Ocean’s offering as a global leader in maritime autonomy.