Reach Robotics, an Australian subsea robotics manufacturer, has announced today that it is in contract with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to produce a custom ‘deep water’ variant of their Reach X Advanced Intervention System (RX-AIS). The new subsea manipulator will be rated for depths of over 800 meters below sea water, exceeding the maximum operational depth of any system previously produced by the business.
Launched in 2023, the Reach X-AIS is a highly dexterous, dual electric manipulator system designed for lightweight submersible platforms. It was originally developed with collaborative input from both the US and Australian Departments of Defence (DoD), and this latest contract represents the ADF’s continued investment in sovereign capabilities. Additionally, it reflects Reach Robotics’ ongoing commitment to producing military-grade solutions that prioritise personnel safety by reducing direct human intervention in hazardous environments.
The deep-water Reach X-AIS will be equipped with two seven-function subsea manipulators, specialised tooling and input device controller inclusions. The system combines advanced functionality with robust performance for a wide range of subsea operations that expand the scope of portable Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs). Furthermore, the new RX-AIS system will grow the capability profile of the ADF in relatively deep waters to combat modern naval threats with world-leading Australian technology.
“This initiative proves the effectiveness of working hand-in-hand with our customers. Reach Robotics continues to demonstrate that the forefront of subsea manipulation technology lies in deeply understanding the challenges faced by the end-user and putting full design and engineering force behind solving for that. The path to keeping people out of harm’s way is through systems that can handle the harshest conditions no matter what, and that’s what we focus on every day.”
– Shaun Barlow, Director & Chief Product Officer, Reach Robotics
Reach Robotics has specialised in producing subsea manipulators for defence and commercial clients globally since 2017. With years of development cycles, operational feedback and product refinement, they have a proven track record for engineering intelligent subsea robotic systems, and are uniquely placed to deliver the technology defined here by the ADF, and in future by other global militaries.
This contract is scheduled for delivery in mid-2025. For more information and commercial availability of the deep-water RX-AIS, contact sales@reachrobotics.com.
About Reach Robotics
Reach Robotics is extending human reach into harsh environments by creating advanced manipulation and perception systems. Our systems enable clients in mission-critical Defence and Commercial sectors to remotely inspect their infrastructure and intervene in their environment. We help our clients multiply their efficiency, eliminate risk, and improve safety. Reach Robotics was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Sydney, Australia.
