Cellula Robotics
Cellula Robotics designs and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell-powered Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (Guardian, Porter, Envoy, Subsea Warden) and the Subsea Sentinel seabed sensor network for naval forces, defense prime contractors, offshore energy operators, and oceanographic research institutions, delivering port-to-port long-endurance subsea missions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersBurnaby, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Cellula Robotics does
Cellula Robotics Ltd. is a privately held Canadian marine technology company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Burnaby, British Columbia, that designs and manufactures long-endurance hydrogen fuel cell-powered Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and subsea sensor systems for defense, energy, and scientific customers. Its product portfolio comprises the Guardian AUV (extra-long-range, 45-day / 5,000 km), the Porter AUV (commercial high-endurance, 45-day / 5,000 km with mobile power delivery), the Envoy AUV (compact mid-range, 15-day / 2,000 km), the Subsea Warden hovering AUV (multi-influence signature measurement), and the Subsea Sentinel cableless seabed sensor network. Underlying platforms share modular 500–2,500 liter payload bays, hovering and station-keeping capability, and a hydrogen fuel cell power stack developed jointly with Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen and now commercialized through the 2026 NautiGEN joint venture.
The company monetizes through B2B contract sales of bespoke hardware platforms, custom engineering and integration services, and recurring operational support on programs such as the US Defense Innovation Unit's CAMP project, the Royal Australian Navy's SeaWolf XLUUV, and the BAE Systems Herne XLAUV collaboration. Customer mix is anchored by Western naval forces and defense prime contractors (US Navy/Pentagon, DRDC, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, BAE Systems, US DIU) with selective commercial activity (e.g., Terradepth). Distribution combines direct enterprise sales with regional channel partners — Subsea Europe Services and its FLANQ defense division cover nine Northern European markets — and the company now operates from Burnaby, Dartmouth (East Coast Canada), Houston, and Bristol (UK).
Cellula holds ISO 9001:2015 (since 2012) and ISO 45001-aligned OHSMS certifications, and its Solus-XR achieved Canadian MASS (Maritime Autonomous Surface Ship) compliance in November 2024. It is founder-controlled (Eric Jackson, President) with wholly-owned US and UK subsidiaries; no external equity funding rounds have been disclosed, and growth has been funded through defense contracts and operational cash flow rather than institutional capital.
Cellula Robotics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cellula Robotics
- Legal name
- Cellula Robotics Ltd.
- Website
- https://cellula.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Cellula Robotics designs and manufactures hydrogen fuel cell-powered Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (Guardian, Porter, Envoy, Subsea Warden) and the Subsea Sentinel seabed sensor network for naval forces, defense prime contractors, offshore energy operators, and oceanographic research institutions, delivering port-to-port long-endurance subsea missions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cellula Robotics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing (IMAJAOAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)
Keywords
Where Cellula Robotics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Burnaby
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Cellula Robotics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- AUV Hardware Sales: Sale of autonomous underwater vehicles including Guardian, Porter, Envoy, and Subsea Warden models with various configurations and power options
- Custom Engineering and Integration Services: Custom engineering design, technical analysis, field support, simulations, and project management services for bespoke subsea solutions
- Subsea Systems and Support: Subsea systems products including Subsea Sentinel sensor networks with ongoing operational support
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom B2B pricing based on configuration and requirements |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Cellula Robotics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cellula Robotics designs, manufactures, and integrates long-endurance autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and subsea sensor systems powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The company delivers modular, configurable platforms (Guardian, Porter, Envoy, Subsea Warden, Subsea Sentinel) for defense, energy, and scientific applications, supported by custom engineering, integration, and field support services.
Product overview
Cellula Robotics offers a portfolio of modular, long-range autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and subsea systems designed for defense, energy, and science applications. The product lineup includes the Guardian AUV (high-endurance, 45-day/5,000 km range for naval operations), Porter AUV (commercial exploration platform with energy delivery capabilities), Envoy AUV (compact mid-range vehicle, 15-day/2,000 km for survey and ISR), Subsea Warden (hovering AUV for vessel signature measurement), and Subsea Sentinel (autonomous seabed sensor network for persistent monitoring). Products share common enabling technologies including hydrogen fuel cell power systems developed with Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, modular payload architectures, and standard interfaces for third-party autonomy integration. Customers can configure systems for specific mission requirements across defense surveillance, offshore survey, and scientific research.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Envoy: Long-endurance hydrogen fuel cell-powered AUV capable of 2,000 km range and 15-day missions. Previously known as Solus-LR.
- Guardian
- Porter
- Subsea Warden
- Subsea Sentinel
- NautiGEN
Products and services
- Guardian AUV Ultra long-range hydrogen fuel cell-powered AUV designed for naval operations and scientific research, capable of 45-day submerged missions and 5,000 km range with modular payload bays of 2,500-liter capacity each and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Targets defense customers requiring covert launch from shore or ship.
- Porter AUV
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,023 km submerged mission exceeding published specifications
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Cellula Robotics
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Cellula Robotics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
Feature5 records
Cellula Robotics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Metron, Inc.core10-year agreement to deliver integrated AUV solutions for US defense market, combining Cellula's long-endurance AUV platforms with Metron's adaptive mission autonomy software and undersea warfare expertise. Formalizes a three-year working relationship and expands Cellula's US market presence.
- Subsea Europe Services GmbH (SES)coreSales and representation agreement for Northern Europe covering commercial academic research, offshore survey, and geophysical industries in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and Finland.
- FLANQcoreDefense division of Subsea Europe Services engaging with defense, maritime security, and government clients in Northern Europe.
- Metron Inc.coreStrategic partnership to integrate Metron's Resilient Mission Autonomy software with Cellula's Solus and Imotus vehicle families, enabling AI-enabled situational awareness and real-time onboard mission adaptation.
- Trusted Autonomous Systems (TAS)coreSeaWolf XLUUV project for Royal Australian Navy, developing next-generation fuel cell powered extra-large unmanned underwater vehicle with over 5,000 km range and modular 2,500-liter payload bays.
- HonuWorx Ltd.minorCollaboration for technology demonstrations showcasing HonuWorx's Loggerhead concept, utilizing Solus-XR XLUUV as a mobile power and communication hub for ROVs and AUVs.
- BAE SystemscoreCollaboration on Herne Extra-Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XLAUV), designed to operate alongside traditional submarines for enhanced underwater security. BAE's Nautomate system powers autonomous capabilities with interest from over 10 NATO and non-NATO navies.
- NautiGEN, Inc.coreMaritime hydrogen power company formed by Cellula Robotics and Infinity Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, Inc. Provides high-density fuel cell power systems for maritime operations, separating fuel cell power plant from stored hydrogen and oxygen.
- Integer TechnologiescoreCollaboration partner on DIU CAMP project, providing DIGIT COMMAND system for adaptive mission assurance layered onto Cellula's Nexus mission control software.
- Schilling RoboticscorePartner in CAMP Defense Innovation Unit project, a TechnipFMC company providing robotics expertise for AUV prototype development.
- General Dynamics Applied Physical SciencescoreCollaboration partner on CAMP project providing applied physical sciences expertise for autonomous undersea vehicle development.
- National Oceanography Centre (NOC)minorInnovation Hub membership providing facilities and networking opportunities for collaboration with UK marine science and engineering community.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Cellula Robotics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Liquid Robotics (Boeing): Liquid Robotics' wave- and solar-powered Wave Glider and its Slocum glider family address long-endurance ocean monitoring, overlapping with Cellula's Subsea Sentinel seabed sensor network and persistent ISR value proposition.
- Oceaneering International: Oceaneering's subsea robotics group supplies AUVs, ROVs, and intervention tooling to offshore energy and defense clients — the same end markets Cellula serves. Its Freedom AUV competes with Cellula's Porter and Envoy in survey and inspection missions.
- Teledyne Marine: Teledyne Marine integrates Gavia, SeaBotix, and other AUV/ROV platforms and supplies sonar and sensor suites used on AUVs including Cellula's. It overlaps with Cellula in survey, defense, and oceanographic customer segments.
- General Dynamics Mission Systems (Bluefin Robotics): Bluefin Robotics (a General Dynamics unit) builds the Bluefin-9, -12, and -21 AUVs used by US and allied navies for mine countermeasures and survey — directly comparable to Cellula's defense AUV offerings. As a US prime, it has preferential access to classified programs.
- Thales Group: Thales supplies autonomous underwater systems, sonar, and combat management suites to NATO navies — a broad incumbent whose unmanned systems portfolio (including collaborations with innovative suppliers) competes with Cellula in defense undersea warfare.
Emerging players
- Anduril Industries: Anduril's Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle program (Australia) directly contests Cellula's SeaWolf XLUUV work with the Royal Australian Navy. As a well-capitalized US defense prime, Anduril represents both a partner and competitor for naval XLUUV contracts.
- MSubs: MSubs builds extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles and has worked with the UK Royal Navy on similar programs to Cellula's CHARYBDIS participation. It is a UK-based niche competitor and potential collaboration partner in European defense.
Direct peers
- Saab: Saab's Sabertooth and Sea Wasp AUVs compete directly with Cellula's long-endurance, hovering, and station-keeping vehicles for naval and security customers. Both companies target modular AUV platforms with multi-day submerged missions.
- Atlas Elektronik (TKMS): Atlas Elektronik supplies unmanned underwater vehicles (SeaWolf concept lineage, ARCIMS) and towed arrays to NATO navies. It is a direct peer in the European undersea defense market where Cellula's UK hub and FLANQ channel are active.
- Kongsberg Maritime: Kongsberg's Hugin and REMUS-family AUVs are the most direct commercial competitors to Cellula's Guardian, Porter, and Envoy vehicles for defense survey and energy inspection missions. The former employer of Cellula's CCO Richard Mills, Kongsberg is the benchmark for survey-grade AUVs globally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Cellula Robotics social profiles
Digital presenceCellula Robotics compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Cellula Robotics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cellula Robotics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Cellula Robotics subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Cellula Robotics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cellula Robotics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cellula Robotics
What does Cellula Robotics do?
Cellula Robotics designs, manufactures, and integrates long-endurance autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and subsea sensor systems powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The company delivers modular, configurable platforms (Guardian, Porter, Envoy, Subsea Warden, Subsea Sentinel) for defense, energy, and scientific applications, supported by custom engineering, integration, and field support services.
Is Cellula Robotics a public or private company?
Cellula Robotics is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Cellula Robotics founded?
Cellula Robotics was founded in 2001. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Cellula Robotics based?
Cellula Robotics is headquartered in Burnaby, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Cellula Robotics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. AUV Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Engineering and Integration Services and subsea Systems and Support.
Who are Cellula Robotics's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Liquid Robotics (Boeing), Oceaneering International, Teledyne Marine, General Dynamics Mission Systems (Bluefin Robotics) and Thales Group. Emerging players are Anduril Industries and MSubs. Direct peers are Saab, Atlas Elektronik (TKMS) and Kongsberg Maritime.
Does Cellula Robotics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cellula Robotics.
What industry is Cellula Robotics in?
Cellula Robotics's product category is Autonomous Underwater Vehicles. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAJAOAC, Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) & Autonomous Submersible Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABAIAF, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.