A new robotic system from Fairbanks Morse Defense’s Vestdavit is aiming to reduce risk in the launch and recovery of unmanned surface vessels (USVs) at sea.
Known as Autohook, the system takes on ship-to-craft connections in demanding conditions, limiting the need for manual control in one of the more hazardous phases of maritime operations.
Unlike traditional setups, it is designed as a compact, self-contained unit that can be fitted to existing vessels without costly modifications.
With AI at its core, Autohook also uses an advanced vision system that tracks the rescue boat and nearby targets in real time, reducing crew exposure to risk.
“We are solving one of the most critical challenges in maritime operations: achieving a safe, reliable, fully automated connection between ship and craft in high-energy sea states,” said Rolf Andreas Wigand, chief executive officer of Vestdavit.
“This system helps us ensure maritime professionals can execute their missions with unparalleled safety, reliability, and interoperability in challenging operational environments.”
Optimized for Demanding Sea
AutoHook has successfully completed operational testing at Sea State 4 conditions, indicating suitability for rougher maritime environments.
Built to work across a range of ship classes, the system supports evolving mission profiles and reportedly aligns with NATO operational standards.
“The global shift toward distributed maritime operations depends on unmanned systems that perform in real-world conditions and integrate seamlessly across allied fleets,” Wigand added.
“AutoHook not only supports fleet modernization, it breaks the Sea State 2 ceiling that has long constrained manual launch and recovery.”
AutoHook will be showcased at the 2026 Sea Air Space Expo in National Harbor, Maryland.
