Introducing the Scout 3

Lobster Robotics develops fully integrated underwater drones. It’s our ambition to make the seabed accessible to everyone, and to do so with high quality, robust and reliable technology.

The Scout 2 redefined how we look at the seabed. Autonomous precision seabed inspection, in turbid waters, and strong currents. “If it works in the North Sea, it works anywhere” was the credo. 

With the Scout 3, we have taken all the lessons from 2023 (Scout 1), 2024 (Scout 2) and all the prototypes in between. We’ve conducted field operations with marine researchers, engineers, with navy divers and technicians, and with our own team - collecting as much input as possible for the new version. 

The result? The most advanced precision seabed inspection tool to date:

Main features

Robust

Scout 3 is built for fieldwork. A thicker hull, no external fins, internal thrusters, and minimal cabling make it tough to break and easy to maintain. The design holds up in rough handling and bad weather. It’s a tool that’s ready to be used.

North-Sea capable

Scout 3 handles strong currents, turbid water, and sloped terrain automatically. It adjusts its navigation on the fly, so you don’t need to plan around tides, seabed angle, or visibility. Just drop it in and run the mission. We are located right next to the Dutch North Sea. This is where we test and develop the drones, so tough conditions are our baseline, not the exception.

Minimal training

You can operate Scout 3 yourself. The control system runs on a tablet. Plan missions in minutes, no training required. Two people can carry it. Strap it to the deck. No need for support staff - just pick it up, power it on, and go.

How does it compare to other underwater drones?

Traditionally, underwater drones fall into two categories: Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). ROVs are ideal for close-up inspections and manipulation using robotic arms and cameras. However, they require deployment from a dedicated surface vessel, which cannot serve other purposes during operation, and their range is limited to small areas.

AUVs, on the other hand, excel at covering large areas with sonar, requiring minimal human intervention. But they lack the resolution for detailed identification of seabed features and perform poorly in strong currents. 

The Scout 3 bridges the gap between these two classes. It enables high-resolution seabed inspection in turbid waters and strong currents, across a wide enough area to inspect multiple targets in a single mission. Rather than delivering unstructured video feeds or abstract sonar blobs, the Scout 3 provides map-based 2D or 3D visuals that are immediately usable by non-specialists, streamlining analysis and enabling faster decision-making.

How to get started

Scout 3 is available as a rental system, or for purchase by military clients. We deliver a product package with all the support equipment required to run it. We also offer operator support, training, and maintenance services. 

Dual-use product for a dual-use environment

Whether you're a marine ecologist monitoring biodiversity, a defense team conducting subsea reconnaissance, or an offshore contractor managing critical assets: we provide the Scout 3 to all of our customers because it gets the job done. 

Ready to dive in?

For a demo or more information, contact us at sales@lobster-robotics.com or visit www.lobster-robotics.com.

Military customers: production slots for Scout 3 are limited for 2025 and 2026. A deposit is required to secure a slot.

Civilian customers: rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. A deposit is required to reserve a time period.