A forthcoming industry analysis, the 2025 Janus Review, is poised to shed light on the technological shortcomings that are hampering the broader implementation and complete independence of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
Scheduled for release at the Sea, Air and Space Exhibition in National Harbor, Maryland from 6 to 9 April, the 2025 Janus Review will outline prominent trends, tackle essential challenges, and spotlight emerging applications and technologies influencing USVs.
The review is an annual publication by Janus Marine and Defense, an American company specialising in marine autonomy.
The study suggests that a reluctance to share intellectual property, apprehensions about losing competitive edges, and the lack of universally accepted standards are impeding the collaborative efforts required to address these issues.
The report points out that critical technologies, notably those in AI development which are crucial for advancing the USV industry, are still being actively researched.
the report states that modelling, real-time data integration, and AI algorithms are essential—technologies that are still in development and largely untested in maritime settings.
Specialised datasets and algorithms for reliable marine computer vision systems, real-time sonar data processing, and AI classification of underwater obstacles are also highlighted as technological barriers requiring further research and development.
The review underscores the transformative potential of intelligent self-diagnostics combined with adaptive mission-planning capabilities for USV autonomy.
However, the integration of real-time diagnostics with autonomous decision-making hinges on highly advanced algorithms and robust onboard computing power—capabilities that are not yet fully matured or broadly accessible.
Additionally, acoustic sensing technology faces challenges including high ambient noise levels and complex signal processing, necessitating ongoing research for reliable integration into autonomy algorithms.
Securing skilled professionals is cited as a major obstacle impeding both innovation and expansion within the sector.
This year’s edition recognises USVs as having transformative potential for various maritime activities including defence, security, offshore exploration, and logistics.
Despite its dynamic nature and rapid development, Jack Dougherty—the owner of Janus Marine and Defense and editor of the report—notes that several critical obstacles remain before the industry can realise its full potential.
One such challenge is what the report terms as the ‘Low Demand, Low Volume problem,’ which has substantial repercussions across different facets of the sector.
Since USVs typically serve specialised markets like defence or offshore surveying rather than mass consumer bases, it becomes challenging for manufacturers to justify extensive production lines. This situation maintains high costs while stifling innovation.
In addition, new entrants aiming to penetrate this market encounter considerable hurdles related to funding their operations and scaling their businesses effectively.
Dougherty said: “USV technology is at a crossroads. It is undoubtedly the future. But progress is slower than it should be. The reality is that developing a new USV requires heavy upfront investment in R&D, testing, and certification, costs that must be recouped over a small number of sales. Unlike automotive startups that can enter the market with well-established supply chains and contract manufacturers, USV companies often have to build their own infrastructure from the ground up, further increasing costs.
“Ultimately, the low-volume nature of the industry creates a cycle: high costs limit demand, limited demand discourages investment, and slow investment stifles technological progress. Until USVs become more widespread and production volumes increase, these challenges will continue to shape the industry’s growth.”
Jack added: “Many of the challenges facing USVs today aren’t about proving that autonomy works – it does. Instead, the real issues are about scalability, efficiency, and reliability.
“Whether it’s enabling intelligent fleet coordination, improving perception systems, or making USVs truly self-sufficient, there’s still a long way to go.”
