Latvian science-based technology, or Deep Tech, start-up “SUBmerge Baltic” is developing autonomous underwater drones designed for infrastructure inspections, port security, hydrography, mine clearance and other complex underwater operations. The company has been active since 2022, initially focusing on technology development and now moving into the commercialisation stage. Its solutions are being tested and deployed in cooperation with its first customers in Latvia and abroad, while the company is also developing export projects in Europe, the Middle East and other international markets. One of the company’s key competitive advantages is its proprietary navigation technology, which has enabled it to reduce the cost of navigation sensors – one of the most expensive components of an underwater drone – by up to five times.
The underwater environment is one of the most technologically challenging operating environments in the world. GPS does not work underwater, visibility is often limited, and precise navigation requires expensive sensors and advanced engineering expertise. At the same time, demand for underwater solutions is growing rapidly, as seas and oceans contain critical energy, communications and transport infrastructure whose security is becoming increasingly important in both civilian and defence applications.
The company originated within the ecosystem of Riga Technical University (RTU), where its co-founders and CEO Kārlis Bērziņš decided during their studies to turn their interest in robotics and entrepreneurship into a practical product.
According to Bērziņš, the team did not initially set out to solve a specific industry problem, but rather wanted to develop a competitive technology. The decision to focus on underwater robotics was deliberate: while the aerial drone market already appeared saturated, underwater systems remained a relatively underdeveloped niche with significant potential for creating new added value.
“Our goal is not to build a single, very expensive robot, but to create a scalable and cost-effective underwater drone. That is why we have focused heavily on navigation technologies, as they account for one of the most significant cost components of the drone,” explains Kārlis Bērziņš.
Alongside its underwater drones, the company is also developing autonomous control technologies – a suite of software and algorithms that can be integrated into different robotic systems, enabling them to navigate and operate independently underwater.
Underwater drones are not a new technology. The first such solutions were developed as early as the 1970s and 1980s, primarily for the oil and gas industry to inspect offshore platforms and other underwater infrastructure. Traditionally, however, these systems have been extremely expensive, complex and intended for a relatively narrow group of professional users.
“Navigation sensors are among the most expensive components of an underwater drone. By developing our own navigation sensors, algorithms and calibration solutions, we can reduce the cost of these sensors by up to five times. This also lowers the overall cost of the drone and makes the technology much easier to scale,” Bērziņš explains.
The company’s solutions have broad dual-use potential, covering both civilian and defence applications. In the civilian sector, they can be used to inspect underwater cables and other critical infrastructure, survey ports, carry out hydrographic measurements and inspect offshore energy infrastructure. In the defence and internal security sectors, potential applications include reconnaissance, mine clearance, search and rescue operations, and port security.
Such solutions are particularly relevant in the Baltic Sea region, where underwater cables and energy infrastructure are strategically important assets.
“Essentially, anything related to the underwater environment could be an application for our solutions. However, our main priorities are cable and long-distance inspections, hydrography and defence,” says Kārlis Bērziņš.
“SUBmerge Baltic” has already tested its technology and is working with several potential customers in Latvia and abroad. One of the most promising markets at present is Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea region, where extensive oil, gas and other underwater infrastructure is driving demand for such technologies.
The company’s technology is also relevant in Ukraine, where it is working with local partners to develop solutions for mine clearance and infrastructure inspections. The company has also established a representative office in Ukraine and plans to increase the number of drones deployed there by the end of the year.
Alongside its drones, the company is developing software and simulation solutions. With support from the innovation voucher programme of the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), “SUBmerge Baltic” developed a high-precision underwater physics simulator that enables the autonomous operation of drones to be tested before trials are carried out in the water. In the future, the company plans to develop the simulator into a standalone product for training drone operators.
At the same time, “SUBmerge Baltic” continues its development through the business incubation programme of LIAA’s Technology Representation Office in Riga, using the available support to accelerate business growth and export development.
“Under normal circumstances, many things would have to be tested in the water. In a simulated environment, however, we can test missions and autonomous capabilities and identify errors much earlier. This helps accelerate software development,” explains Kārlis Bērziņš.
The company currently employs 13 people, ranging from students to experienced engineers and researchers. Manufacturing is organised in cooperation with external partners, while “SUBmerge Baltic” focuses on technology development, testing and quality control. This model enables the company to scale more rapidly and could allow it to establish local manufacturing partnerships in different markets in the future.
This year, the company plans to produce 20–30 drones, increasing production to approximately 100 units next year. Over the next three years, its goal is to have its technology deployed in at least 200 robotic systems.
The company’s main target markets are Europe, the United States and the Middle East, while it is also looking towards Asia in the longer term. Ultimately, “SUBmerge Baltic” aims to become one of Europe’s leading developers of underwater systems technology.
The programme is funded under Specific Objective 1.2.1 “Strengthening research and innovation capacities and the uptake of advanced technologies by enterprises”, Measure 1.2.1.4 “Support for improving the technology transfer system”, of the European Union Cohesion Policy Programme 2021–2027.
