Clear Robotics scales autonomous electric vessel operations across regions

It raised $2.25m to expand fleet, develop larger ships, and automate port systems.

Clear Robotics has raised $2.25m (US$1.75m) in a pre-Series A funding round to expand its autonomous maritime operations, according to a media statement.

The round was led by Shipsfocus Ventures, with participation from Katapult Ocean, SGInnovate, M7 Holdings, MGS Ventures, and other strategic investors.

Clear Robotics operates a fleet of 26 all-electric unmanned surface vessels (USVs) equipped with AI-based navigation and data analytics systems. The company said the vessels are deployed for maritime operations that do not require onboard crews.

According to the statement, the funding will support expansion into Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East, as well as the development of larger vessel classes.

It will also be used to advance automated port surveying capabilities and scale its retrofit technology for commercial vessels.

The company said its vessels are already operating in Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines, including pilot deployments used for a waterfront inauguration launched by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

Sidhant Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of Clear Robotics, said the funding will support expansion of its operations and fleet.

“This funding is a critical catalyst, accelerating our path toward becoming a comprehensive solution for operations and creating the world's largest fleet of unmanned ships,” he said.

Utkarsh Goel, Co-Founder and chief technology officer, said the capital will be used to expand engineering capacity and accelerate development of larger vessel classes and automated port surveying systems.

“Clear Robotics is building a reliable, scalable operating system for the essential middle of the maritime sector,” said Chye Poh Chua, managing partner at Shipsfocus Ventures. “We led this round because they are building the infrastructure for the next era of maritime work.”