UK robotics developer Ray Systems has announced a new collaboration with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) to accelerate the commercialization of fin-based underwater propulsion systems.
Through its new membership in the NOC Innovation Hub in Southampton, the company gains direct access to world-class engineering and testing environments, oceanographic data and marine science networks.
Ray Systems is building autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) designed to move like marine life rather than relying on traditional marine propellers. Its platforms integrate two primary proprietary technologies:
- RayDrive: An oscillating-fin propulsion system designed to deliver greater efficiency, maneuverability, and quieter operation compared to conventional hulls.
- NelsonOS: An autonomy operating system tailored for navigation in comms- and GPS-denied underwater environments.
The partnership allows Ray Systems to test and refine its hardware and software within the UK’s primary marine autonomy cluster. The NOC Innovation Hub, launched in 2025 following a £200,000/~€233,760/~$269,614 investment, bridges scientific research and commercial development across the blue economy.
Commenting on the announcement, Ray Systems Co-founder and CEO James Farha said:
“Nature doesn’t make propellers, and neither will the ocean economy of the future. To get there quickly and prove it rigorously, you need the right environment around you. The NOC is exactly that environment. Its facilities, its data and its people are among the best in the world, and being part of the Innovation Hub lets us test harder, learn faster and connect with the wider community that’s building the blue economy.”
While NOC Innovation Hub Manager Mark Hamson added:
“Our mission at the Innovation Hub is to foster innovation by creating connections between industry and science, and Ray Systems is a perfect example of the kind of ambitious, technology-led company we exist to support. Their bio-inspired approach to underwater propulsion has real potential to advance marine autonomous systems and the wider blue economy.”
