Ray Systems partners with the National Oceanography Centre to accelerate the ocean economy's shift from propellers to fins
Southampton, UK — 20 July 2026 — Ray Systems, the UK bio-inspired robotics company reimagining how machines move through water, today announced a collaboration with the National Oceanography Centre (NOC), one of the world's leading oceanographic institutions. Through membership of the NOC Innovation Hub in Southampton, Ray Systems gains access to specialist engineering and testing facilities, deep scientific expertise and an unrivalled network across the ocean and maritime sectors; resources the company will use to accelerate its mission to transition the ocean economy from propellers to fins.
Ray Systems develops fin-based autonomous underwater vehicles built around two core technologies: RayDrive, its bio-inspired oscillating-fin propulsion system, and NelsonOS, an autonomy operating system co-designed with the platform for the GPS-denied, comms-denied conditions of the underwater world. By taking its cues from how marine life actually moves — rather than bolting a propeller onto a hull — Ray Systems is building vehicles that are quieter, more efficient and more manoeuvrable than conventional designs.
The collaboration gives Ray Systems a home within the UK's premier community for marine autonomous systems. The NOC Innovation Hub — a purpose-built facility launched in 2025 following a £200,000 investment — brings together researchers, businesses and entrepreneurs, and offers members access to NOC's world-class testing environments, oceanographic data and specialist teams. For Ray Systems, that means faster iteration on RayDrive and NelsonOS, closer proximity to the scientists and operators who understand the ocean best, and a direct line into the partnerships that will help scale bio-inspired propulsion across the blue economy.
“Nature doesn't make propellers, and neither will the ocean economy of the future. To get there quickly and prove it rigorously, you need the right environment around you,” said James Farha, Co-founder and CEO of Ray Systems. “The NOC is exactly that environment. Its facilities, its data and its people are among the best in the world, and being part of the Innovation Hub lets us test harder, learn faster and connect with the wider community that's building the blue economy. It's a step-change in the pace at which we can bring fin-based propulsion to market.”
“Our mission at the Innovation Hub is to foster innovation by creating connections between industry and science, and Ray Systems is a perfect example of the kind of ambitious, technology-led company we exist to support,” said Mark Hamson, Innovation Hub Manager at the National Oceanography Centre. “Their bio-inspired approach to underwater propulsion has real potential to advance marine autonomous systems and the wider blue economy. By giving them access to our facilities, our expertise and our networks, we can help accelerate their journey from promising technology to fielded capability — and that's exactly what a world-class innovation ecosystem should do.”
The collaboration reflects a shared belief that the future of the ocean economy depends on innovation that works with nature rather than against it. As Ray Systems scales its fin-based platform across commercial maritime applications, the NOC Innovation Hub will provide the testing rigour, scientific depth and sector connections to help it move at speed.
Notes to editors
About Ray Systems
Ray Systems is a UK bio-inspired robotics company building the next generation of autonomous underwater vehicles. Guided by the principle that nature doesn't make propellers, the company develops fin-based propulsion (RayDrive) and a purpose-built autonomy operating system (NelsonOS) to deliver quieter, more efficient and more capable underwater platforms. Its mission is to transition the ocean economy from propellers to fins. Ray Systems is headquartered in Kingston upon Thames, United Kingdom.
About the National Oceanography Centre (NOC)
The National Oceanography Centre is one of the world's leading oceanographic research institutions, delivering world-class science, technology and facilities across the ocean and maritime sectors. Its Innovation Hub in Southampton supports a growing community of innovative organisations developing technology for marine autonomous systems and the blue economy, connecting industry with science to advance commercial opportunity and sustainable growth.
Media contact
Ray Systems Ltd
The Press Office
Email: media@raysystems.com
Web: raysystems.com