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Tag: Defense Innovation Unit

  • Robotics Recap: KONGSBERG’s $54M AUV Deal, HII’s First ROMULUS Robot Ship, Boaty McBoatface and Walmart’s ~$6B Symbotic Deal

    Robotics Recap: KONGSBERG’s $54M AUV Deal, HII’s First ROMULUS Robot Ship, Boaty McBoatface and Walmart’s ~$6B Symbotic Deal

    By Zip Robotic · November 1, 2026

    Four stories from October 28–31, from the deep sea to the loading dock. Underwater robots for the U.S. military, the Navy’s first ROMULUS robot ship, Boaty McBoatface scouting for offshore wind, and Walmart’s roughly $6 billion warehouse robot commitment.

    1. KONGSBERG wins $54M to deliver more underwater robots

    On October 29, KONGSBERG said its Prototype Other Transaction Agreement with the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (which KONGSBERG calls the Department of War Innovation Unit) was modified by $54 million, driven mainly by the delivery of a broad range of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) plus associated underwater components. KONGSBERG did not say which models or how many. “This contract continues our collaboration with DIU and the US Navy and reflects confidence in KONGSBERG’s autonomous underwater technology,” said CEO Eirik Lie.

    Why it matters: Camilla Kiss, president of KONGSBERG’s Discovery division, says the company has signed NOK 1.7 billion in AUV contracts across all markets so far in 2026. Demand for underwater robots is now steady business, not one-off trials.

    Source: KONGSBERG, Oct 29, 2026

    2. HII’s first ROMULUS robot ship gets its hull plaque

    HII said on October 28 that it had held a ceremony the day before in New Iberia, Louisiana, installing a commemorative hull plaque on the first-in-class ROMULUS 151 unmanned surface vessel. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Vice Adm. Michael Wosje, HII CEO Chris Kastner and Breaux Brothers Enterprises President Brannon Breaux attended. The U.S. Navy recently contracted HII to build 10 ROMULUS 151 vessels under its Medium Unmanned Surface Vessel (MUSV) program, with Louisiana partners Breaux Brothers, Halimar Shipyard and Bayou Metal Supply & Manufacturing. ROMULUS is built for missions including surveillance, mine countermeasures and launching and recovering underwater and aerial drones.

    Why it matters: In 13 days of Navy-monitored testing in the Gulf, HII’s Odyssey autonomy completed a 420-nautical-mile, 28-hour mission. The Navy is moving robot ships from experiments to fleet-scale production.

    Source: HII, Oct 28, 2026

    3. Boaty McBoatface goes scouting for offshore wind

    On October 29, the UK’s National Oceanography Centre said its Autosub Long Range (ALR1500), better known as Boaty McBoatface, tested a new suite of sensors off Plymouth. The upgraded payload let researchers map fish and zooplankton, record underwater sound and capture detailed images of plankton. Near real-time satellite data showed where ocean fronts were, and pilots on shore steered Boaty toward them over the horizon. The trial is part of Frontline, a £3.5 million project funded by NERC and The Crown Estate, with the University of Plymouth, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, HiDef Aerial Surveying and Kongsberg.

    Why it matters: Floating offshore wind is heading into deeper water, and nobody fully knows how those structures affect the ocean fronts where fish, seabirds and marine mammals feed. Bigger Celtic Sea surveys are planned for 2027.

    Source: National Oceanography Centre, Oct 29, 2026

    4. Walmart commits about $6B more to Symbotic’s robots

    On October 29, Symbotic and Walmart announced an expanded agreement to bring more Symbotic automation to 25 U.S. regional distribution centers, plus opportunities across Walmart’s global supply chain. The deal includes an initial commitment of about $6 billion in spend over several years across multiple locations. Symbotic’s system now includes its BreakPack each-picking and SymMicro micro-fulfillment products. “Our partnership with Walmart started with a single product over a decade ago,” said Symbotic CEO Rick Cohen.

    Why it matters: Walmart’s Rob Montgomery says the work helps it improve service, grow capacity, simplify work for associates and lower costs. A multi-year, multi-billion-dollar commitment shows warehouse robots moving from pilots to core infrastructure.

    Source: Symbotic, Oct 29, 2026

    Also noted

    • Agility Robotics and Churchill Capital Corp XI said on Oct 30 they expect about $465 million in gross proceeds from their merger, with a shareholder vote on Nov 2, closing expected Nov 4 and trading on Nasdaq as “AGLT” expected from Nov 5. Agility Robotics, Oct 30, 2026
    • Elbit Systems said on Oct 29 it will show its uncrewed underwater vehicles for the first time at Euronaval 2026, building on its acquisition of ISE, which has delivered more than 250 vehicles to over 20 countries. Elbit Systems, Oct 29, 2026

    The pattern

    Autonomy is going to work: underwater robots on contract, robot ships in production, a research sub on survey duty and warehouse robots on a multi-year buildout. Which move matters most? Tell us on X @ZipRobotic.

    Roundups every Wednesday and Sunday at ziprobotic.com.

    Sources

    • KONGSBERG, “KONGSBERG secures US government contract for underwater capabilities,” Oct 29, 2026 — https://www.kongsberg.com/news/news-archive/2026/kongsberg-secures-us-government-contract-for-underwater-capabilities/
    • HII, “HII Celebrates ROMULUS Unmanned Surface Vessel Production Progress for U.S. Navy in Louisiana,” Oct 28, 2026 — https://www.hii.com/news/hii-celebrates-romulus-unmanned-surface-vessel-production-progress-for-us-navy-in-louisiana
    • National Oceanography Centre, “NOC’s Autosub Long Range tests new ocean monitoring technologies for floating offshore wind,” Oct 29, 2026 — https://www.noc.ac.uk/news/nocs-autosub-long-range-tests-new-ocean-monitoring-technologies-floating-offshore-wind
    • Symbotic, “Walmart and Symbotic Expand Commercial Agreement to Support Supply Chain Transformation,” Oct 29, 2026 — https://www.symbotic.com/news/walmart-and-symbotic-expand-commercial-agreement-to-support-supply-chain-transformation/
    • Agility Robotics, expected ~$465M gross capital raise and anticipated closing of business combination with Churchill Capital Corp XI, Oct 30, 2026 — https://www.agilityrobotics.com/content/agility-robotics-and-churchill-capital-corp-xi-announce-expected-gross-capital-raise-of-approximately-465-million-and-anticipated-closing-of-business-combination
    • Elbit Systems, Euronaval 2026 UUV announcement, Oct 29, 2026 — https://www.elbitsystems.com/news/euronaval-2026-elbit-systems-present-uuv-capabilities-first-time

    Images: KONGSBERG (HUGIN Endurance), HII (ROMULUS 151 hull), National Oceanography Centre (Autosub Long Range), Symbotic (system render). Used from each organisation’s own press materials and website.