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PlanBlue delivers next-level seafloor intelligence by uniquely combining RGB, hyperspectral, and geolocation data to boost survey efficiency and insight, enabling better monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure, detection of anomalies or threats, and informed environmental impact assessments across civil and defense applications.

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Following our [recent campaign](https://www.planblue.com/articles/enhancing-underwater-threat-dectection) at Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Künstliche Intelligenz GmbH ([DFKI](https://www.dfki.de/web)), we’re excited to share an early look at how our hyperspectral data products can support the verification phase in Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations.

![3D model of geo-referenced high-resolution orthophoto](https://jagged-fortunate-stamp.media.strapiapp.com/2025_11_18_UXO_Test_2_1acc7d04dd.jpg)
 
Large-area mapping systems, such as sonar, LiDAR, and MBES, play a crucial role in detecting potential threats and anomalies on the seafloor. However, confirming what these contacts actually are often relies on close-up inspections with ROV-mounted cameras. This verification step is typically the most time-consuming and resource-heavy part of the process.
 
Our latest results show how spectral intelligence can add value during this stage. By highlighting features such as corrosion patterns (see example below), sediment colour changes, or benthic cyanobacterial mats, hyperspectral imaging can offer additional clues that help narrow down which targets warrant immediate attention. The goal is to give operators more context so they can focus on real threats rather than benign objects.
 
![Left: Geo-referenced high-resolution orthophoto. Right: Orthophoto with corrosion patterns](https://jagged-fortunate-stamp.media.strapiapp.com/2025_11_18_UXO_Test_2_1_d19becff3b.jpg)
 
Our mission is to deliver data layers that make missions faster, safer and more cost-effective across defence and dual-use applications.

Following our recent campaign at @DFKI, we’re excited to share an early look at how our hyperspectral data products can support the verification phase in Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Mine Countermeasures (MCM) operations.

Advancing UXO & MCM Verification with Hyperspectral Intelligence

![](https://jagged-fortunate-stamp.media.strapiapp.com/Picture_partnership_Plan_Blue_Orpheus_Ocean_1_91b4551f3d.jpg)
_Bremen, Germany / New Bedford, MA, USA – 6 November 2025_

PlanBlue and Orpheus Ocean are proud to announce their strategic partnership to advance sustainable seafloor intelligence into the deep sea.

PlanBlue, a pioneer in AI-driven seafloor intelligence using advanced imaging, and Orpheus Ocean, developing scalable deep-sea autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), are joining forces to deliver high-resolution, ground-truth data for the world’s most critical deep ocean environments.

The partnership focuses on three essential domains: maritime security, offshore infrastructure, and marine resources. These domains are increasingly central to global sustainability and security. As nations and industries face growing challenges beneath the waves, from the environmental impact of seabed mining to the urgent need to protect maritime infrastructure and security, this collaboration aims to set a new benchmark in how seafloor data is captured, analyzed, and applied.

Together, PlanBlue and Orpheus Ocean will support the monitoring of critical underwater infrastructure (e.g, cables, pipelines) and offshore energy assets, while also enabling environmental assessments that guide responsible resource management. By integrating PlanBlue’s advanced imaging (hyperspectral & RGB) and AI analytics with Orpheus Ocean’s deep-rated benthic AUV platforms, the partnership aims to provide scalable, repeatable monitoring of the seafloor, offering unprecedented insight into the health and status of deep-sea ecosystems and infrastructure.

Joost den Haan, CEO and Co-founder of PlanBlue, said:
_“By partnering with Orpheus Ocean, we’re extending our capabilities into the deep sea to generate intelligence needed to make better decisions, including the protection of the seafloor while enabling responsible economic activity. Our goal is to ensure that progress beneath the waves is guided by knowledge, not assumption.”_

Jake Russell, CEO and Founder of Orpheus Ocean, added:
_“Our mission at Orpheus is to illuminate the deep, and PlanBlue’s advanced imaging system is one very powerful way to do that. We’re proud to partner with a global leader in this technology and deploy it in new, challenging, yet critical environments.”_

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**About Orpheus Ocean**

Orpheus Ocean is a Massachusetts-based technology company dedicated to changing how humanity understands, monitors, and protects the deep ocean. Founded in 2024 and built upon decades of oceanographic experience, Orpheus Ocean builds and operates autonomous underwater vehicles that enable scalable, affordable access to seafloor environments for blue economy sectors from marine resources to seabed infrastructure.
Dive in at [www.orpheusocean.com](https://www.orpheusocean.com)


**About PlanBlue**

Based in Bremen, Germany, PlanBlue is pioneering AI-driven seafloor intelligence by combining hyperspectral and RGB imaging with underwater geo-referencing. Its dual-use technology, suitable for both civilian and defense use, delivers ground-truth, high-resolution seafloor data in the highest detail at scale, supporting maritime security, offshore infrastructure, and seafloor restoration and preservation. Learn more at www.planblue.com.
[PlanBlue](/)

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Media Contacts:

**PlanBlue**: Pascal Seul

[media@planblue.com](mailto:media@planblue.com)

+49 421 2208120

**Orpheus Ocean**: Jake Russell

[info@orpheusocean.com](mailto:info@orpheusocean.com)





PlanBlue and Orpheus Ocean join forces to advance sustainable seafloor intelligence into the deep sea

![](https://jagged-fortunate-stamp.media.strapiapp.com/2025_10_07_Plan_Blue_bedrock_partnership_5faad50726.jpg)
_San Francisco (US) / Bremen (Germany), October 08, 2025_

Bedrock Ocean Exploration and PlanBlue today announced a new strategic partnership that combines Bedrock’s advanced autonomous survey technology with PlanBlue’s AI-driven seafloor intelligence. By aligning their complementary capabilities, the two companies will deliver a new generation of decision-ready ocean data to accelerate infrastructure development, support maritime security, strengthen coastal resilience, and support environmental stewardship.

Bedrock operates a fleet of compact, fully electric autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that capture high-resolution bathymetry with minimal environmental footprint. Through its Mosaic platform, Bedrock provides direct access to survey data with real-time quality control and rapid cloud delivery. 

PlanBlue’s underwater hyperspectral imaging, enhanced by AI, transforms seafloor imagery into actionable intelligence. The technology delivers dual-use capabilities in a single mission: precise assessments of ecosystem health, biodiversity, carbon stocks, and habitat classification, alongside advanced material detection that supports both infrastructure assessments and maritime security. This integration unlocks unprecedented time and cost efficiency for environmental monitoring and beyond.

The integration of Bedrock’s survey capacity with PlanBlue’s analytics will significantly shorten the path from data acquisition to actionable insight. 

This collaboration enables clients in offshore wind, subsea cable and pipeline routing, port development, coastal protection and maritime security to access critical environmental and operational information faster and more efficiently than ever before. Both companies emphasize that the partnership reflects a shared commitment to lowering the ecological footprint of marine development while supporting global goals such as the UN Decade of Ocean Science.

_“This partnership is an important milestone in our mission to deliver scalable, high-fidelity ocean intelligence, and stress test our rapid ability to field new payloads and capabilities with our platforms,”_ said Charles, CEO, Bedrock. _“By embedding PlanBlue’s payload and analytics into our survey ecosystem, we can provide clients with not just data, but insight, faster, cleaner, and with lower risk to marine ecosystems.”_

_“We are excited to partner with Bedrock to bring seafloor intelligence to the forefront of sustainable marine development,”_ added Dr. Hannah Brocke, Co-founder & CSO, PlanBlue. _“Harnessing Bedrock’s agile platform together with PlanBlue’s underwater hyperspectral imaging and its automated analytics will help clients make better decisions, reduce environmental impacts, and drive progress toward healthier oceans.”_

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**About Bedrock**

Bedrock is pioneering a vertically integrated ocean survey platform, combining compact, fully electric AUVs with a cloud-based data delivery system (Mosaic). Its design emphasizes rapid mobilization, minimized permitting hurdles, and reduced environmental disturbance. Bedrock provides services across energy & infrastructure (pre-construction, operations, decommissioning), marine research, coastal resilience, and maritime security. 
[Bedrock Ocean Exploration](https://www.bedrockocean.com)


**About PlanBlue**

PlanBlue is a deep tech company delivering fully automated seafloor intelligence. From a single survey, its AI-powered software infers ecosystem health, biodiversity, carbon stock, habitat classification, and identifies anomalies such as plastics, corrosion, or seabed hazards. PlanBlue’s insights support smart development, conservation, and monitoring in marine and coastal environments.
[PlanBlue](https://www.planblue.com)

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Media Contacts:

**Bedrock**: Vanlu Madarame

[press@bedrockocean.com](mailto:press@bedrockocean.com)

**PlanBlue**: Pascal Seul

[media@planblue.com](mailto:media@planblue.com)

+49 421 2208120




Bedrock and PlanBlue form strategic alliance to advance high-resolution seafloor intelligence for sustainable ocean infrastructure

[DHI](https://www.dhigroup.com) and PlanBlue announce a new strategic partnership, signed at the recent UN Ocean Conference in Nice. This collaboration brings together DHI’s global expertise in marine and coastal services with PlanBlue’s innovative ocean monitoring technologies, enabling new ways to monitor, protect and sustainably develop the world’s oceans.

![Hanna Brocke (Co-founder & CSO, PlanBlue) and Ole Larsen (Director for Strategic Partnerships, DHI)](https://jagged-fortunate-stamp.media.strapiapp.com/Plan_Bluex_DHI_ea61696490.jpeg)

PlanBlue, based in Germany, is a deep-tech company specialising in high-resolution seafloor imaging and smart data analytics. Their proprietary system provides detailed, geo-referenced visual data that support precise and repeatable ocean monitoring. Their value lies in translating seafloor imagery into actionable environmental metrics to support habitat classification, biodiversity assessment and long-term marine planning.


_‘At a time when data-driven solutions are essential for addressing the ocean crisis, this partnership will enhance how we measure and manage underwater environments,’ _said Ole Larsen, Director of Strategic Partnerships at DHI. 


Together, DHI and PlanBlue will accelerate the delivery of tools that support ecosystem protection, smarter infrastructure planning and transparent decision-making in marine projects.


_‘Our partnership allows us to go deeper – literally and figuratively – in understanding the seabed and supporting better decisions for ocean health. We will strengthen biodiversity mapping, enhance our services for sustainable marine infrastructure and help our clients make informed decisions based on sound data and science,’_ Ole Larsen said.


### Technology for healthier oceans
The partnership will focus on making complex marine data more accessible, visual and usable for stakeholders – from government agencies and NGOs to ports, energy companies and coastal cities.

With PlanBlue’s advanced underwater imaging technology and DHI’s environmental modelling and advisory services, the joint solutions will enable:

- Mapping and protecting marine habitats, including seagrass meadows, coral reefs and artificial coastal structures such as harbour walls, helping authorities plan marine protected areas and assess ecosystem health over time.
- Minimising the ecological footprint of infrastructure projects through precise baseline data, improved impact assessments and ongoing monitoring.
- Accelerating restoration initiatives, such as coral regrowth or habitat recovery following dredging, by using data to guide interventions and evaluate their effectiveness.
- Supporting nature-inclusive design in offshore energy and coastal protection projects, ensuring developments are aligned with biodiversity goals.

These applications align closely with DHI’s commitment to advancing the UN Ocean Decade goals and building the knowledge base for more resilient and sustainable coasts.

 

_‘This is about making the invisible visible – turning ocean data into actionable insights for healthier ecosystems,’ _said Dr. Hannah Brocke, co-founder of PlanBlue. 


The partnership will roll out with joint projects in Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia with a focus on habitat mapping, coastal development and sustainable marine operations.

Fully-automated seafloor intelligence

Discover our data products

A versatile solution across key industries

Innovative solutions for your needs

News and Stories

Advancing UXO & MCM Verification with Hyperspectral Intelligence

PlanBlue and Orpheus Ocean join forces to advance sustainable seafloor intelligence into the deep sea

Bedrock and PlanBlue form strategic alliance to advance high-resolution seafloor intelligence for sustainable ocean infrastructure

New partnership between DHI and PlanBlue to strengthen ocean health and coastal resilience

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