Autonomous Boats Market Key Trends, Disruptions and Strategic Imperatives

Autonomous Boats Market Size, Growth Drivers and Forecast

The autonomous boats market is forecast to grow from USD 648.60 million in 2025 to USD 1460.69 million by 2034, driven by a CAGR of 9.44% from 2025 to 2034.

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Introduction

The autonomous boats market is a prominent sector of the marine industry. This industry deals in manufacturing and distribution of self-driving boats across the world. There are various types of boats developed in this sector comprising of fully autonomous boats, semi-autonomous boats, remote controlled boats and others. These boats are powered using different propulsion technology consisting of hybrid electric, fuel powered, fully electric and others. It finds application in numerous sectors including surveillance and security, environmental research and monitoring, commercial shipping and cargo, search and rescue, passenger transportation and some others. The rising cases of boating deaths has increased the demand for autonomous boats, thereby fostering the industrial expansion. This market is expected to rise significantly with the growth of the ship-building industry across the globe.

• According to the National Safe Boating Council, in 2023, around 56 people died due to recreational boating in Florida followed by other U.S. states.

Highlights of the Autonomous Boats Market

• Europe held the highest share of the autonomous boats market.
• North America is expected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period.
• By autonomy level, the semi-autonomous segment held a dominant share of the market.
• By autonomy level, the fully autonomous segment is predicted to grow with a notable growth rate during the forecast period.
• By propulsion, the fully electric segment held the lion’s share of the market.
• By propulsion, the hybrid-electric segment is likely to grow with a considerable growth rate during the forecast period.

Key Metrics and Overview

Autonomous Boats: Trends in the Industry

• Several boat companies are partnering among each other for developing autonomous boats to enhance recreational boating. For instance, in May 2024, Avikus partnered with Aquasport. This partnership is done for enhancing the landscape of recreational boating in the upcoming days.
• Numerous boat manufacturers have started developing autonomous boats for military usage. For instance, in April 2024, Metal Shark Boats launched an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV). This autonomous boat is designed for performing military operations.
• Various market players are developing advanced autonomous boats for enhancing research activities. For instance, in November 2024, Samsung Heavy Industries launched ‘SHIFT-Auto’. SHIFT-Auto is an autonomous boat designed for navigation research and other activities.
• Many boat producers are increasing their focus on developing electric hydrofoil boats to maintain sustainability in the environment. For instance, in November 2024, Yinson GreenTech (YGT) launched ‘Hydroglyder’. Hydroglyder is an electric boat that support high level of autonomy to enhance driverless marine transportation.

Autonomy Insights

The semi-autonomous segment held a dominant share of the market. The rising demand for advanced safety features in boats has boosts the market growth. Also, the growing use of these boats for carrying passengers and commercial cargo has contributed to the market expansion. Moreover, the increasing application of semi-autonomous boats due to several benefits such as reduced human error, enhanced collision avoidance, superior decision making, optimizing routes and speeds, reduced driver costs and some others, thereby driving the growth of the autonomous boats market.

The fully autonomous segment is predicted to grow with a notable growth rate during the forecast period. The growing use of fully autonomous boats in military sector for enhancing maritime navigation has driven the market growth. Additionally, the rising investment by boat manufacturers for developing advanced software and hardware for enhancing the capabilities of autonomous boats has further accelerated the market expansion. Moreover, numerous benefits of fully autonomous boats including enhanced safety, reduced emission, superior efficiency, easy driving and some others is crucial for the growth of the autonomous boats market.

Drive Insights

The fully electric segment held the lion’s share of the market. The rising demand for eco-friendly vessels for carrying passenger and delivering shipments has boosted the market expansion. Also, the growing prices of traditional fuels such as gasoline and diesel has increased the demand for superior alternatives to gain maximum profits, thereby proliferating the market growth. Moreover, rapid investment by boat manufacturers for developing advanced electric boats is expected to boost the growth of the autonomous boats market.

The hybrid-electric segment is likely to grow with a considerable growth rate during the forecast period. The rising development in hybrid technology along with increased demand for boats that provides superior driving range has driven the market growth. Also, the rapid adoption of hybrid boats in different sectors including commercial fishing, ferry services, recreational boating, research, exploration and some others is playing a positive role in shaping the industry. Moreover, numerous advantages of these boats including enhanced fuel efficiency, low emission, cost savings, versatility, quiet operations and some others is expected to drive the growth of the autonomous boats market.

Geographical Insights

Europe held the highest share of the autonomous boats market. The rising interest of consumers towards recreational boating has boosted the market expansion. Also, the growing emphasis on adopting water transportation coupled with numerous government initiatives aimed at developing the national waterways across Europe is playing a vital role in shaping the industrial landscape. Moreover, the increasing sales of electric boats along with technological advancements in maritime sector further accelerates the market growth in this region.

UK dominated the market in this region. The rise in number of startup companies related to boat manufacturing has driven the market expansion. Also, the surge in demand for autonomous boats from recreational centers and amusement parks is adding to the industrial growth. Moreover, the rapid adoption of driverless boats for surveillance and reconnaissance activities is predicted to foster the growth of the autonomous boats market in this nation.

North America is expected to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The growing investment by various organizations for strengthening the waterways has boosted the market growth. Additionally, surge in demand for safe boats for adventure rides coupled with rising focus on enhancing environmental research and monitoring is accelerating the industrial expansion. Moreover, the rising investment by government for strengthening the defense sector is likely to boost the market growth in this region.

The U.S. is a major contributor of this region. The rising demand for autonomous boats from the military sector has driven the market growth. Also, advancements in autonomous technology coupled with rapid investment in technologies such as AI and IoT for use in shipbuilding sector is playing a vital role in the development of the market. Moreover, the increasing deployment of autonomous boats for monitoring maritime environment has further accelerated the growth of the autonomous boats market in this country.

Industry Leader Announcement

• In July 2024, Andy Lürling, the founder of LUMO Labs made an announcement stating that, “Cities worldwide are struggling with transporting people and goods over their congested roads. Waterborne transportation is a good alternative to cars and trucks, but shortage of personnel and relatively high OpEx is currently posing a bottleneck. Roboat’s technology offers a solution based on autonomous navigation. This market is expected to grow tremendously, since we need to rethink our transportation systems, making it more versatile and more sustainable.”

Competitive Landscape

The autonomous boats market is a developing industry with the presence of several dominating players. Some of the prominent companies in this industry consists of L3Harris ASV, Rolls-Royce PLC, Siemens, ABB, BAE Systems, Fugro, Garmin Ltd, Hyundai Heavy Industries, Textron System sand some others. These companies are constantly engaged in developing self-driving boats and adopting numerous strategies such as collaborations, joint venture, product launches, business expansion, acquisition, partnerships, and some others to maintain their dominant position in this industry. For instance, in June 2024, L3 Harris joined hands with Seasats. This joint venture is done for launching an autonomous boat in North America.

• According to the annual report of Textron, around 71% of the revenue of the company was generated from the U.S. region followed by other regions.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, Zero USV launched Oceanus12. Oceanus12 is an autonomous boat equipped with a hybrid-electric drive system that is expected to provide a cruising range of around 2,500 nautical miles.
• In January 2025, Textron launched Tsunami. Tsunami is an autonomous boat that has a payload capacity of around 1,000 pounds.
• In February 2024, Clearbot launched a new self-driving boat. This boat is designed for cleaning ocean waste in India.

Autonomous Boats Market Segments

By Autonomy Level

• Fully autonomous
• Semi-autonomous
• Remote controlled

By Propulsion

• Hybrid electric
• Fuel powered
• Fully electric

By Application

• Surveillance and security
• Environmental research and monitoring
• Commercial shipping and cargo
• Search and rescue
• Passenger transportation

By Boat Size

• 20 feet
• 20-40 feet
• >40 feet

By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Middle East and Africa