Nauticus Robotics Certifies Nauticus ToolKITT Autonomy Software On Light Work-Class ROVs

While Nauticus ToolKITT is successfully deployed in operations aboard the company’s flagship Aquanaut^® robot, this project represents the first commercial application of the software on a third-party ROV platform. The achievement demonstrates the flexibility and maturity of Nauticus ToolKITT as a modular autonomy solution capable of upgrading existing offshore vehicles without major hardware or control system redesigns.

Nauticus ToolKITT provides advanced autonomous station-keeping and navigation capabilities that reduce pilot workload, enhance mission consistency, and improve operational safety. The certified deployments underscore Nauticus’ ability to integrate proven autonomy into conventional ROVs, delivering immediate performance benefits and establishing a clear path toward intelligent subsea operations.

“This project represents a key step in Nauticus’ strategy to bring our autonomy software to the broader market,” said John Gibson, President and CEO of Nauticus Robotics. “This marks the first time our technology has been used to transform a legacy ROV into a semi-autonomous asset for a paying customer.”

“From an ROV operator’s perspective, the difference was immediate,” said Jason Hanagriff, ROV Superintendent, formerly employed by SeaTrepid and now Nauticus. “Nauticus ToolKITT handled station-keeping and positioning with a level of precision that normally requires continuous manual correction. It allowed our pilots to focus on the work task instead of fighting the vehicle—a real leap forward in how these systems perform offshore.”

Developed and validated through years of testing—including high-fidelity simulation, hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) integration, and open-water certification—Nauticus ToolKITT is designed for rapid adoption across vehicle classes, a market estimated to be around 1,500 ROVs. Its modular design enables flexible deployment on diverse platforms, helping operators modernize existing fleets and extend the life of proven offshore assets.

“With this first paid commercial operation on a retrofitted ROV, Nauticus ToolKITT has proven its readiness to enhance the global ROV fleet,” added Gibson. “We are now building on this success through additional customer projects and collaborations that will bring autonomy to a wider range of subsea operations.”

Nauticus will continue expanding Nauticus ToolKITT capabilities and deployments as part of its initial commercial introduction phase, further validating its role as a scalable autonomy platform for the offshore industry.