Dutch navy adopts AUV tech from Lobster Robotics
The Royal Netherlands Navy has become the launch customer for Lobster Robotics’ underwater drone, Scout, following the signing of a rapid adoption action plan (RAAP) agreement at the NATO summit in The Hague. The agreement was signed by Deputy Minister of Defence Gijs Tuinman and Lobster Robotics CEO Stephan Rutten. As Lobster Robotics’ first military-grade autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), this version of Scout will be tailored for naval reconnaissance and seabed object detection.
Scout combines high-resolution optical imaging and mapping systems to locate and identify seabed features with exceptional precision. Lobster Robotics, a Dutch high-tech company, designs, manufactures and rents out fully integrated underwater drones that blend robotics, automation and advanced data processing – eliminating the traditional trade-offs between scale, accuracy and efficiency.
AI-powered classification capabilities
As an alumnus of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA), Lobster Robotics is moving from concept to operational deployment within RAAP’s 24-month innovation cycle. The initiative enables rapid integration of emerging technologies to enhance the operational capabilities of NATO Member States. According to Deputy Minister Tuinman, this collaboration demonstrates how dual-use technologies such as Scout can help armed forces become ‘faster, smarter and more effective,’ strengthening the alliance’s technological edge.
The militarized Scout will allow the Royal Netherlands Navy to conduct remote and continuous seabed inspections. It can identify unknown objects, mine-like threats or infrastructure damage without exposing personnel to risk. A recent case study showed that using the underwater drone can deliver imagery up to 20 times faster than is possible with divers. Its capabilities provide faster, safer and more consistent results compared to traditional diver-based surveys.
Autonomous tech reshaping naval operations
AUVs and related technologies are becoming increasingly important to modern naval defence. They enhance situational awareness, help secure strategic infrastructure, and enable safer, crew-free operations in complex underwater environments. Innovations in this sector are advancing rapidly, with ever more sophisticated systems entering the field. The range of potential applications is broad, spanning defence, offshore energy, marine and subsea engineering, archaeology and environmental monitoring. These developments are opening the door to entirely new industries and transforming how underwater operations are planned and carried out.
For Lobster Robotics, the project represents more than just a defence contract – it is regarded as a live demonstration of how NATO’s innovation ecosystem can turn dual-use technology into real-world capability at speed. CEO Stephan Rutten sees the partnership as a signal to the broader industry. “This is rapid adoption in action,” he said. “We’re setting the example for how the dual-use technology ecosystem within NATO can be nurtured into the next-gen capabilities that give the alliance a competitive edge.”
