Startup Unveils Underwater Drone for Subsea Cable Protection

SYOS has introduced the SU10 autonomous underwater vehicle, developed for the protection and inspection of subsea infrastructure. The drone can dive to depths of up to 500 meters and carry a payload of up to 10 kg. Its primary application is monitoring subsea cables, which play a crucial role in global telecommunications and data transmission.

The SU10 is equipped with an AI-based autonomous control system, allowing it to perform tasks without constant operator intervention. In autonomous mode, the drone operates for up to four hours, but when connected to a surface vessel via a power and fiber-optic data transmission tether, its operational time becomes unlimited. This makes it a flexible tool for extended missions, including patrolling and rapid response to threats.

A key feature of SYOS’s solution is the integration of the SU10 with the company’s ecosystem of autonomous vehicles, including aerial, ground, and surface drones. The proprietary AAIM software enables coordination between platforms, expanding capabilities for complex operations. For example, if cable damage is detected, the drone can relay data to the surface, after which additional resources can be automatically dispatched to the incident site.

Developers emphasize that using the SU10 significantly reduces the costs of protecting subsea infrastructure compared to traditional methods, such as crewed patrols. This makes the technology accessible even for countries with limited budgets for securing critical infrastructure.