Arkeocean unveils the M Platform: an agile, modular underwater drone priced under €50,000

Arkeocean has introduced the M Platform, a compact, agile, and modular underwater drone priced under €50,000. Built on five years of innovation in autonomous underwater robotics and swarm technologies, the platform combines an open architecture, external payload capacity, and standard-integrated proprietary SEAKER micro-USBL technology.

Measuring less than one meter in length and weighing approximately 26 kg in air in its base configuration, the M Platform is engineered for single-operator launch and recovery, significantly reducing logistical footprints. Capable of settling on the seabed and remaining stationary for extended periods, it supports multiple operational modes, including remote operation via a 2 km fiber-optic link, tethered operation, and autonomous or coordinated swarm navigation (“autonomous-ready” and “swarm-ready”).

At the core of the system, a modular architecture accommodates external payloads with an apparent weight of up to 7 kg in water. By separating the vehicle body from its mission equipment, Arkeocean enables a single common platform to serve diverse applications—ranging from general inspection and observation to maritime security, defense, and mine countermeasures—without requiring dedicated vessel designs for each task.

This versatility is driven by a software-defined approach, allowing operators to enhance vehicle capabilities through software updates and integrate specialized payloads from Arkeocean or third-party suppliers. Following successful sea trials at the Portuguese Navy Operational Experimentation Centre (COEM) in Tróia, the commercial launch is scheduled for January 2027.