Subnero Enables Real-Time Tracking of Underwater Vehicles at RobotX 2026
Subnero to demonstrate live tracking of autonomous underwater vehicles at RobotX 2026
Singapore-based underwater networking company to provide acoustic tracking technology for autonomous underwater vehicles competing in the flagship RobotX Challenge at Marina Bay.
Singapore, 3 November 2026 – Subnero Pte Ltd., a global leader in underwater wireless communications and networking, will provide the tracking layer for uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs) competing at the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge, taking place from 8–14 November at the Promontory in Marina Bay, Singapore.
As a Deluxe Corporate Sponsor of RobotX 2026, organised by RoboNation, Subnero will help make underwater vehicle movements visible during the competition, demonstrating how its technology can support the tracking and monitoring of subsea assets as they run complex missions in marine environments.
The competition brings together student engineering teams from around the world to develop autonomous systems operating collaboratively across air, surface and underwater domains. This year’s challenge focuses on coordinated multi-vehicle operations in a simulated storm-response scenario, including harbour recovery and underwater infrastructure assessment, highlighting the growing importance of maritime autonomy in real-world operations.
Making underwater activity visible
Unlike vehicles operating on land or above water, submerged vehicles cannot rely on conventional GPS or radio communications.
During RobotX 2026, each participating UUV will carry a small acoustic device transmitting at a designated frequency. Subnero’s network, including its software-defined smart acoustic modems, will receive these signals and feed them into a tracking system that processes the data and displays vehicle movements on a live, web-based interface.
The demonstration highlights one of the fundamental challenges of maritime autonomy: maintaining situational awareness of underwater assets while they operate beyond the reach of conventional wireless networks.
“RobotX brings together some of the brightest young engineers working on maritime autonomy, and we’re delighted to support the competition here in Singapore,” said Manu Ignatius, CEO of Subnero.
“As more autonomous systems operate below the surface, knowing where they are and maintaining situational awareness of their operations becomes increasingly important. This is an opportunity to demonstrate underwater tracking in a complex operating environment, while showcasing the broader role that underwater connectivity can play in enabling autonomous maritime operations.”
“Having access to underwater tracking at RobotX allows us to observe, understand, and validate what the autonomous vehicles are doing beneath the surface, and adds a new level of insight and capability to the competition. Industry leaders, like Subnero, provide critical technology to advance the future of maritime robotics.” said Daryl Davidson, President and CEO of RoboNation.
See Subnero at RobotX 2026
Visitors will be able to follow participating underwater vehicles through a live tracking display in the RobotX Team Village during the competition.
Subnero will also participate in the RobotX industry showcase, demonstrating the tracking system and its range of products.
About Subnero
Subnero’s smart acoustic modems and UnetStack software platform provide an in-water communications and control layer, enabling wireless underwater networks, localisation and monitoring for autonomous vehicles, sensors and subsea infrastructure. Headquartered in Singapore, Subnero serves defence, research and commercial maritime customers globally. Learn more at subnero.com.
About RoboNation
RoboNation, a nonprofit organization, is on a mission to provide hands-on robotics education, empowering students to tackle global challenges. With a portfolio of nine educational programs spanning K-12 and university levels, RoboNation cultivates the next generation of engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, programmers, and more. Participants in RoboNation programs represent the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow. Learn more at robonation.org.
Media contacts
Subnero Pte Ltd
Adithya Aravinth
[email protected] | +65 9819.9552
RoboNation
Alicia Gavin
Director of Communications and Marketing, RoboNation
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 571 455 4156
