From a distance, it almost completely blends into the horizon. The difference is immediately apparent when the four-meter-long, 850-kilogram craft picks up speed and races through the water off Lidingö in Stockholm.
For those at sea in the area, it is not entirely clear what they have just seen passing at just over 20 knots. The answer is a new type of unmanned, autonomous drone from Swedish defense company Nautrik, intended for both military and civilian use. The company was founded by its CEO, Oscar Fors, and it all started in his garage.
With the war in Ukraine, I did what many others did and signed up for the Home Guard, but at the same time I thought I had to be able to do something more, he says aboard the combat boat, where it is possible to track and control the drones.
“From the world of video games”
Nautrik’s Riverine 4 can simply be described as a completely unmanned drone powered by artificial intelligence.
Two boats are out this morning, but the intention is to be able to launch an entire group from ships or from land and have them operate as a unit. On a digital screen, a company employee shows a simulation of two marine drones assigned to investigate an area at sea. They move across the screen like characters in an advanced computer game, and the comparison is not entirely off the mark.
We have taken a lot from the world of computer games in how to interact, and we have received help from some computer game gurus who have started major companies in Stockholm and become very successful, says Oscar Fors.
The company’s management is careful to point out that the boats do not have to be used for military purposes. In theory, they could just as easily monitor oil pipelines or transport supplies, for example. However, they can be armed. The US, for example, used naval drones for the first time in the war against Iran just a couple of weeks ago.
For example, it could be a system with machine guns that uses sensors to identify flying drones and acts as close protection for a boat, he says.
A number of investors
The company has largely flown under the radar. The interview with TT is its first major one, but Nautrik has also attracted a number of investors. The board now includes former commander-in-chief Micael Bydén, and comedian David Batra is among those who have invested.
Oscar Fors does not want to comment in detail on the company’s order backlog, but notes that it has orders that have not yet been delivered.
This year, we will not have time to deliver everything we have sold.
And is it primarily for the Swedish defense?
Our main focus is to strengthen the Swedish defense. We develop capabilities based on real operational needs, and we do it faster than traditional actors.
Facts: Nautrik
Nautrik is a Swedish defense and security technology company founded in 2004. CEO Oscar Fors has a background in management at battery manufacturer Northvolt and electric boat company X Shore, and was a partner at management consulting firm Accenture.
Investors include financial figures such as Staffan Sahlén and Thomas von Koch, as well as comedian David Batra.
The company is developing a type of diesel-powered, unmanned and autonomous boat. The system is powered by AI, but an operator can control the boats when needed. The boats are built by boat company Nimbus Group.
Even if communication is interrupted or GPS signals are turned off, the craft can continue to navigate.
Nautrik is also collaborating with other players, such as drone manufacturer Airolit, enabling the vehicles to be integrated with flying drones.
The drones are intended for both civilian and military use. Potential uses include surveillance and intelligence gathering, protecting or escorting boats, and mine clearance. Civilian missions include monitoring infrastructure such as submarine cables.