Forum Energy Technologies Forges AI-Driven Path in Subsea Robotics

Forum Energy Technologies US34984V2097

Forum Energy Technologies (FET) is strategically expanding its subsea technology portfolio through a new focus on artificial intelligence. The company has entered into a comprehensive manufacturing and distribution agreement with Nauticus Robotics, signaling a definitive move into the burgeoning market for autonomous offshore operations.

This partnership establishes Forum Energy Technologies as the primary commercialization partner for Nauticus Robotics’ "Olympic Arm™." This system is an electric manipulator designed to replace conventional hydraulic units, aiming to facilitate more precise underwater interventions. The formal agreement comes after a successful pilot project conducted in the Gulf of Mexico in October 2025, which effectively paired Nauticus’s autonomy software, "ToolKITT™," with FET’s hardware.

Under the terms of the deal, FET will assume responsibility for manufacturing the units and managing their global distribution. This arrangement allows Nauticus to concentrate on its core software intellectual property, while Forum Energy Technologies captures value along the hardware supply chain and through aftermarket services.

Industry Shift and Investment Implications

The offshore energy sector is actively pursuing solutions to reduce operational costs and lower its carbon footprint, with automation being a key avenue. Electrically powered, software-defined systems are gaining significant traction. By integrating the "Olympic Arm" into its product lineup, FET enhances its value proposition for major offshore operators.

For investors, this venture diversifies Forum Energy Technologies’ revenue streams toward high-tech industrial automation. The associated development risk is viewed as relatively contained, as the company is commercializing a technology that has already undergone field testing. Market experts are likely to view the capital-light expansion strategy favorably, as it leverages FET’s existing manufacturing infrastructure.

A critical near-term indicator for the partnership’s success will be Forum Energy Technologies’ ability to secure initial commercial orders for the new product by the first quarter of 2026.