SWL Robotics

Imagine a fleet of agile, lightweight drones effortlessly gliding through shallow waters, equipped with cutting-edge sensors, communicating seamlessly with each other as they help users explore the marine world and solve problems that were insurmountable until now. This is the innovative future that SWL Robotics brings as it propels the marine drone industry into the future.

Born from the minds of founders with a rich history in the aerospace and defense sector, SWL Robotics established itself over a decade ago to revolutionize the marine drone industry. It embarked on a mission to bring aerospace concepts to the maritime domain, driven by a belief that there were significant gaps in marine technology. Their vision, propelled by innovation, led to the creation of various unmanned surface vessels (USV) and remotely operated vehicles (ROV), like 360- ROV, FR-10, and Tiburon.

Tiburon, the flagship of SWL Robotics’ portfolio, embodies SWL’s commitment to developing lightweight, robust, and highly capable drones. Leaning on its proprietary lamination of carbon fiber and honeycomb materials for the shell, the Tiburon boasts an impressive strength-to-weight ratio (specific strength), freeing up additional payload capacity for sensors and cameras or any other nuanced systems clients need. These capabilities are supplemented by SWL Robotics’ expertise in additive manufacturing, which allows the production of hollowed-out, marine-grade aluminum components, maximizing strength while minimizing weight.

What truly sets the Tiburon apart from the competition is its patented air propulsion system giving it a similar working functionality as an airboat, allowing the drone to operate in as little as three inches of water.

This unparalleled capability makes the Tiburon invaluable for navigating near-coast areas, canals, and shallow coastal seas. In essence, the air propulsion system prevents the drone from getting tangled in foliage—a common problem for most marine drones.

Being a versatile platform, the Tiburon can accommodate up to 60 pounds of payload and equips an industrial-grade computer of 24 V designed to integrate seamlessly with various sensor packages. Equipped with SATCOM communication, the drone is capable of beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operation, a feature unavailable in drones of its size.

The Tiburon is already proving its worth in real-world applications in Miami, where rapid coastal development leads to occasional pollution incidents that negatively impact marine life. The drone’s unique features allow it to swiftly triangulate pollution sources by continuously communicating with other drones in its fleet, resulting in quicker responses and effective pollution management.

SWL Robotics’ vision, however, extends beyond the Tiburon. It aims to create a network of drones working harmoniously to transform near-coast surveillance and reconnaissance. For instance, the 360-ROV is a spherical aerial and underwater drone that can perform similar tasks as Tiburon above and below water. The entire fleet of drones will be able to maintain seamless communication with the FR-10 mothership, facilitating complete integration and control for the users.

“We envision a future where drones seamlessly integrate into various industries, significantly reducing the need for labor and altering the way we approach challenges. Our mission is to continually develop innovative drone solutions that empower businesses to accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively,” says Enrique F. Enriquez, president of SWL Robotics.

SWL Robotics prides itself on the speed, flexibility, and level of support it offers its customers. The Tiburon and other drones in development are designed to be compatible with various standard industry sensors. This adaptability ensures that the drones can cater to the diverse needs of customers and highlights its commitment to providing exceptional customer service.

Focusing on near-coast environments, where sampling, surveillance, and monitoring needs are particularly pressing, SWL Robotics is poised to significantly impact the marine drone industry. Its pioneering work in developing lightweight, robust drones with advanced capabilities offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective on how people can better understand and protect marine ecosystems.