Navigating an ocean of data. Delivering a world of possibility.
Saildrone is a US business that designs, manufactures and operates a fleet of the world’s most capable, proven and trusted, uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs). Predominantly powered by wind and solar, Saildrone USVs have a minimal carbon footprint, and are equipped with advanced sensors and AI technology to deliver critical data and intelligence from any ocean, at any time of year. Solutions include maritime domain awareness, ocean data and ocean mapping. Saildrone operations and data collection services are encrypted and secure.
Saildrone's patented wing technology was born from 10 years of R&D in pursuit of the land speed record. The company is headquartered in Alameda, CA, and backed by The Schmidt Family Foundation, Social Capital, Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund, Lux Capital, Exor Seeds, and Horizons Ventures.
Media Releases
Saildrone Issued First-ever Classification for a Commercial Autonomous, Uncrewed Vehicle from the American Bureau of Shipping
The Saildrone Voyager, a 10-meter USV used for near-shore bathymetry and maritime security, is a proven platform and a force multiplier providing near-real-time data across the world’s oceans.
November 7, 2023
Read MoreSaildrone Completes First-of-its-Kind Mission to Detect Bats at Sea Using Autonomous Vehicles
On behalf of Bat Conservation International, this 31-night mission tested the feasibility of recording bats using an ultrasonic microphone mounted on a Saildrone USV.
October 25, 2023
Read MoreSaildrone Fleet Surpasses 1,000,000 Nautical Miles and 32,000 Days at Sea
The milestone underscores the reliability of the vehicle, and confirms Saildrone’s position as the only proven long-range, long-endurance uncrewed platform.
October 17, 2023
Read MoreNDBC Replaces Weather Buoy with Saildrone USV in National Marine Sanctuary
NOAA's National Data Buoy Center replaced a moored coastal weather buoy in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with a Saildrone Explorer to mitigate impacts caused by mooring material.
September 26, 2023
Read MoreSaildrone and NOAA Secure New Guinness Record for Measuring Hurricane Winds
The 2024 Guinness Book of World Records includes for the first time the “highest wind speed recorded by a USV,” earned during Saildrone and NOAA’s 2021 Atlantic Hurricane mission.
September 12, 2023
Read MoreWriting About Saildrone
Saildrone (capitalized) refers to the company Saildrone, Inc. and should be capitalized.
The vehicle, saildrone, is written in lower case. Specific saildrones are known by their number, i.e. SD 1020.
Saildrone Explorer, Saildrone Voyager, and Saildrone Surveyor are capitalized.
Saildrones may also be referred to as unmanned/uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), Saildrone USVs, Saildrone vehicles, or ocean drones.
SAILDRONE™️ is a registered trademark of Saildrone, Inc. and should not be used to refer to any other brand of USV.