Industry professionals from across Australia’s maritime and survey sectors gathered in Fremantle to mark the official launch of the USV Fremantle 1, a 12-metre Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) built by EGS Survey Australia with the navigational autonomy provided by Greenroom Robotics' GAMA. Designed to improve the efficiency and safety of hydrographic surveying operations, the vessel represents a significant enhancement in how survey data is collected and delivered across Australian waters.
The event attracted a diverse audience of stakeholders, including the Mayor of Fremantle, Hannah Fitzhardinge, the CEO of the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce, Chrissie Maus, representatives from the Australian Hydrographic Office, and a broad range of professionals from the Australian survey industry. It also highlighted the collaborative spirit of Fremantle’s business community, with two local companies coming together to drive innovation, strengthen the local economy, and deliver cutting-edge maritime technology. The occasion served as an opportunity to explore the capabilities of the USV Fremantle 1 firsthand and understand how the vessel can benefit future maritime operations.
A Closer Look at the USV Fremantle 1 Launch Event
The event took place across two locations, giving attendees a hands-on look at the vessel and how it operates.
At Fremantle’s “Sardine Jetty”, the official launch ceremony commenced with remarks from key representatives from EGS and included a ribbon-cutting as part of the proceedings. Following the formalities, Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge delivered a speech highlighting key themes such as the importance of Western Australian-based innovation, the value of local collaboration in driving economic growth, and the significance of supporting projects that showcase Fremantle’s growing reputation as a hub for maritime technology and industry advancement.
Following the ribbon-cutting, attendees had the opportunity to step aboard the stationary vessel at the jetty, exploring it firsthand and walking through its features at their own pace.
The event then transitioned to EGS’ offices and remote operation centre, where guests witnessed a live remote demonstration of the USV Fremantle 1 performing various autonomous and remotely operated manoeuvres at sea. This demonstration showcased the vessel’s real-time control capabilities and the seamless integration between onshore operators and the vessel’s autonomy systems. Over light refreshments, attendees had the chance to chat with the technical teams behind the USV Fremantle 1. These conversations provided valuable insights into how the vessel’s technology can be applied to real-world survey challenges, with practical examples of how it can support different maritime operations.
Looking Ahead: Supporting Future Success with Autonomy
Greenroom Robotics is proud to contribute to the future success of the USV Fremantle 1 through our GAMA control system, which enables the vessel’s reliable autonomous and remote operations. We are committed to supporting solutions that enhance operational efficiency and safety for the survey industry, helping vessels like Fremantle 1 perform in diverse and challenging environments.
Autonomy continues to play an increasingly important role in modern survey operations, offering safer, more efficient, and cost-effective ways to collect vital data. As technology evolves, we’re excited to see how solutions like GAMA can enable industry professionals to push boundaries and access areas that were previously difficult or time-consuming to survey.
If you're a survey company exploring autonomy for your operations, we’d be happy to discuss how our technology can help support your goals.