Underwater robotics being developed in Aberdeen could be used to protect Europe's subsea infrastructure after catching the eye of NATO.
HonuWorx - which is developing autonomous submarines that can deploy subsea ROVs - has been chosen for NATO’s 2025 Defence Innovation Accelerator (DIANA) program.
According to the International Cable Protection Committee, there are nearly 870,000 miles of undersea cables worldwide, with the UK being a central hub in this global network. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned such infrastructure is “inadequately protected and highly vulnerable to attack”.
HonuWorx - which is based in Aberdeen's Energy Transition Zone (ETZ) - is one of only 71 companies to be selected for the 2025 DIANA program following 2,600 submissions from across NATO’s 32 member nations.
The DIANA program aims to support dual-use solutions to major security challenges, with selectors impressed by HonuWorx’s potential utility in protecting critical undersea infrastructure, without using surface vessels.
Steve Williams, Head of Commercial at HonuWorx, said: “NATO’s DIANA program is extremely prestigious, and we are delighted that HonuWorx is among just 71 businesses selected to take part from across the alliance’s 32 member states.
“Protecting undersea infrastructure is a growing priority for governments across the world, and we are excited to further develop how our unique technology can be used in this field.
“This is yet another important milestone for HonuWorx that caps an impressive 2024 for our business, and we are looking forward to working with our fellow innovators when the 2025 DIANA program begins in January.”
HonuWorx specialises in autonomous subsea robotics to support offshore energy and defence and earlier this year achieved a world first by deploying an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) from a fully autonomous and uncrewed “mothership” submarine, all controlled from shore via the cloud.
The test proved the viability of its submersible system known as “Loggerhead”, which removes the need for large fossil-fuelled surface ships to transport and deploy subsea robots such as ROVs, creating a cleaner, more cost-effective and safer deployment method.
Honuworx has since received a seven-figure investment into its plans to revolutionise operations in the energy and security sectors.
TRICAPITAL Angels and Scottish Enterprise led the investment round, along with UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), which has invested in HonuWorx for a second time.