Kingdom (03) / 06
The Ocean Kingdom
Marine robotics · underwater sensing · coastal systems · subsea infrastructure
Underwater movement, pressure-resistant robotics, sonar and acoustic communication — for environments without GPS or reliable optical visibility.
10 proposed programs
Flagship — VEIL
Biological principle → Engineering requirement → Machine
(01) — Programs
The species.
Each program studies one biological capability and engineers it toward a machine.
- (01)
VEILFlagship
Manta ray · Mobula birostris
Long-duration underwater inspection, environmental sensing and subsea infrastructure monitoring.
◐ Build
- (02)
PULSE
Dolphin · Tursiops truncatus
Acoustic mapping, sonar perception and navigation for low-visibility underwater environments.
● Now
- (03)
REACH
Octopus · Octopus vulgaris
Compliant underwater manipulation for inspection, retrieval and maintenance in constrained geometry.
○ Research
- (04)
MAKO
Shortfin mako · Isurus oxyrinchus
High-speed surface and subsurface patrol craft.
○ Research
- (05)
ABYSS
Anglerfish · Melanocetus johnsonii
Deep-sea sensing and persistent presence at extreme pressure.
○ Research
- (06)
DRIFT
Jellyfish · Aurelia aurita
Ultra-low-power drifting sensor bodies for persistent ocean data.
○ Research
- (07)
SONG
Humpback whale · Megaptera novaeangliae
Long-range underwater acoustic communication and positioning research.
○ Research
- (08)
REEF
Coral · Acropora millepora
Fixed subsea sensor infrastructure deployed for years at a time.
◐ Build
- (09)
JET
Squid · Loligo vulgaris
Burst-mobility inspection vehicles for rapid station changes.
○ Research
- (10)
UPWELL
Atlantic salmon · Salmo salar
GNSS-denied return-to-base navigation for long-range marine missions.
○ Research
● Now — Assemblable largely from mature, demonstrated technology.
◐ Build — Requires meaningful proprietary engineering and field validation.
○ Research — Higher-risk program; key advantages remain experimental.
MALIA planning categories, not formal TRLs. All programs are proposed concepts — none are deployed.