Cellula Robotics is strengthening its position in the evolving autonomous maritime domain, securing a role in a U.S. defence initiative aimed at accelerating next-generation underwater capabilities.
Under a contract awarded by the Defence Innovation Unit (DIU) as part of the Combat Autonomous Maritime Platform (CAMP) initiative, Cellula Robotics USA Inc. has been selected to deliver a long-endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) prototype. The effort brings together a consortium of advanced technology providers focused on delivering scalable, mission-ready autonomous systems for defence applications.
At the centre of Cellula’s contribution is its commercial off-the-shelf, fuel cell-powered Guardian AUV®. Designed for extended-duration missions, the platform is built to operate at range while carrying and deploying mission payloads—capabilities increasingly critical as naval operations push further into contested and remote environments.
The contract, led by Metron Inc., positions Cellula within a broader ecosystem that includes Integer Technologies and General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences. Together, the team integrates advanced autonomy, predictive mission health management, and payload systems into a unified operational solution—one aimed at delivering both endurance and reliability in complex maritime scenarios.
“We are proud to be entrusted by DIU and to work shoulder to shoulder with Metron and our industry partners to deliver capability that matters,” said Neil Manning, CEO of Cellula Robotics. “This award underscores the trust placed in our technology, the strength of our growing U.S. team and our shared dedication to advancing maritime systems that provide operational advantage to the operational stakeholders.”
The award also reflects Cellula’s continued expansion in the United States, where it has been building out engineering and technical teams focused on systems integration, testing, and customer support. These capabilities are being delivered through Cellula Robotics USA Inc. in collaboration with Schilling Robotics, LLC, a TechnipFMC company.
With more than four decades of subsea robotics experience, Schilling Robotics brings a proven track record in remotely operated vehicles and advanced manipulator systems. That expertise complements Cellula’s autonomous platform development as the company scales its Guardian AUV® offering into a growing and increasingly competitive market.
As defence organizations seek persistent, autonomous presence in the maritime domain, programs like CAMP signal a broader shift toward leveraging commercial innovation to meet operational demands. For Cellula and its partners, the project represents both a validation of their technologies and a step forward in delivering long-endurance autonomous capability where it matters most.
