Autonomous underwater vehicles and robots can play an essential role in defense operations, but submarines have historically struggled to communicate over long distances unless surfacing, exposing them to the risk of detection. Skana Robotics believes it has found the solution using artificial intelligence—though not the large language models everyone talks about today.
Article contents:
- Introduction
- The problem and the innovative solution
- Returning to classical artificial intelligence
- Defense and infrastructure applications
- Market and future plans
- Frequently asked questions
Introduction
Skana Robotics, based in Tel Aviv, has developed a new capability for its SeaSphere fleet management system that allows groups of vessels to communicate with each other underwater over long distances using artificial intelligence. This innovation could be a game-changer in complex marine operations.
The problem and the innovative solution
The system allows vessels to share data and react to what they hear from other robots. This grants individual units the ability to autonomously adapt to the information they receive and change their course or mission while continuing to work toward the fleet’s overall mission. Idan Levy, co-founder and CEO of the company, says the main challenge is how to deploy hundreds of unmanned vessels in a single operation, sharing data and communicating both on the surface and underwater.
Returning to classical artificial intelligence
What is fascinating is the technical approach. Teddy Lazebnik, an artificial intelligence scientist, led the research to develop this capability. He explains that to build this decision-making algorithm, they could not turn to the latest artificial intelligence techniques (such as generative models), but instead had to use older, more mathematically dependent algorithms.
Lazebnik says: “New algorithms are more powerful, but they are less predictable. You might sacrifice the ‘wow factor,’ but with older algorithms you gain interpretability, predictability, and generality.” In military and sensitive operations, reliability is more important than flashiness.
Defense and infrastructure applications
Founded in 2024 and emerging from stealth mode this year, the company is currently focused on selling to governments and corporations in Europe, where maritime threat levels are rising due to the war between Russia and Ukraine. The software can also be used to secure underwater infrastructure and supply chains, which are vital regions for the global economy.
Market and future plans
The company seeks to close a major government contract by the end of the year and hopes to launch the commercial version of its product in 2026. The goal is to prove that the technology works on a large scale and to invite EU naval leaders to see the results for themselves.
Frequently asked questions
Question: Why doesn’t the company use the latest artificial intelligence models?
Answer: Because modern models can be unpredictable, and in military and underwater operations, accuracy, reliability, and the logical interpretation of decisions are far more important.
Question: What is the benefit of underwater communication?
Answer: It allows submarines and robots to coordinate attacks or survey operations without needing to surface, maintaining their secrecy and protecting them from detection.
