'We operate fleets of smaller, lower-cost assets that are centrally controlled and highly scalable': How tiny uncrewed vessels are mapping the ocean and delivering instant marine data at scale

While many tech companies are looking to planetary bodies and the stars as the next frontier of exploration, there is one much closer to the shiny blue marble we call home that has been largely unexplored.

According to a 2025 study by Science Advances, humanity has visually explored just 0.001% of the ocean, and much of this has been relatively close to shorelines.

But while our visual exploration of the ocean sits as a minute proportion its overall size, militaries and private industries have developed innovative ways to gather ocean data.

Sonar, echosounding, and magnetometery all play their parts.

Our capacity to use the ocean as a global asset is also increasing.

Think about the expansion of off-shore windfarms, delivering global connectivity through sub-sea cables, our understanding of the role the ocean plays in climate, and searching for new untapped resources at the bottom of the sea.

Of course, there are a whole range of risks and challenges that space exploration doesn't have to contend with.

USVs are changing the industry, but require better cloud communications Planning and delivering off-shore projects is a hugely expensive endeavor.

The sea floor needs to mapped for its geology and structural stability, and companies require oceanography data to understand tides and sea conditions.

Traditionally, the collection of this data uses large, highly specialised vessels equipped with a crew who can not only navigate the ocean, but also study it.

Putting these expenses at sea also brings enormous risk.

Luckily, the rapid advancement of drone technology and uncrewed vessels alongside increases in the speed and capacity of data transfer means this industry is rapidly adapting.

XOCEAN is an ocean data delivery company that has specialised in deploying Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) to gather data for a range of industries across offshore energy, fishing, bathymetry, and more.

These vessels are capable of quickly delivering the data they gather using cloud connectivity, allowing for near-real time access and processing.