The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, is organising the Underwater Robotics Workshop (UWR-2026) on 1^st and 2^nd June 2026 at NIOT, Chennai.

 

The workshop aimed to bring together researchers, academicians, industry experts, policymakers, students, and stakeholders working in the field of ocean technologies and underwater robotics. Around 300 delegates from across the country participated in the event.

 

To strengthen efforts in underwater robotics development, the Centre for Marine Autonomous Robotics Systems (CMARS) was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, National Maritime Security Coordinator, and Dr. M. V. Ramana Murthy, Mission Director, Deep Ocean Mission, in the presence of Dr. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, NIOT. The centre will serve as a dedicated hub for advancing marine autonomous and robotic technologies.

 

Oceans cover more than 70% of the Earth's surface and play a vital role in sustaining life and supporting economic growth. Recognizing the importance of ocean exploration and marine resource mapping, India has been actively advancing indigenous underwater technologies for applications in ocean observation, deep-sea exploration, transportation, surveillance, resource assessment, and sustainable blue economy initiatives.

 

Over the past two decades, NIOT has been at the forefront of developing state-of-the-art underwater systems and technologies under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The workshop served as a national platform to discuss recent advancements, emerging challenges, research opportunities, infrastructure requirements, and collaborative pathways in underwater robotics and autonomous systems.

 

The workshop featured:

 

Plenary sessions and invited talks

 

Technical lectures by experts

 

Demonstrations of underwater robotic systems

 

Student poster presentations and competitions

 

Round-table discussions

 

Technology exhibitions and field visits

 

The event fostered collaboration among research organizations, industries, startups, academic institutions, and government agencies, while encouraging innovation and capacity building in marine technology development.

 

The workshop also aligned with India's long-term vision for strengthening indigenous technological capabilities and supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to ocean sustainability and resource management.

 

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