Published on / 03.09.2025
Contact / Jos Maccabiani
We know more about the surface of Mars than about our own seabed, says Danny Looman, co-founder and CFO of Lobster Robotics. However, the Delft-based scale-up is changing that. Its underwater drones are fully autonomous, reliable and scalable and provide razor-sharp images of what is happening beneath the waves, helping to protect not only marine ecosystems but also the security of underwater infrastructure.
Applications include seabed surveys for offshore wind farms and ecological research into oyster populations. Unlike sonar technology, which provides only rough outlines, Lobster Robotics’ drones map the seabed with optical imaging. The result: highly detailed maps that anyone can interpret at a glance, greatly reducing the risk of error. Guided by sensors rather than vision, the drone can skim just above the seabed with remarkable precision—even in murky water, strong currents or across uneven terrain. And operating the drone is straightforward: all you need is a tablet. Danny says, “We make underwater inspection accessible and widely applicable, from ecology and energy to infrastructure and security.”
The toughest technical challenge
Seven years ago, six students from Delft University of Technology set out in search of the most demanding technical challenge they could find. They chose the deep sea: vastly unknown, difficult to reach and technically complex. What started as a prototype gradually developed into a user-friendly product. The added value was immediately clear to a number of large offshore companies, partly because of the drone’s ease of use and extraordinary accuracy. Their early support helped Lobster Robotics take its first steps towards becoming a scale-up with international ambitions.
Divers become drones
The added value lies not only in Lobster Robotics’ optical technology but also in the drone’s efficiency. At present, seabed surveys rely on large vessels, costly equipment and divers who often have only a few metres of visibility. The process is expensive, time-consuming and risky. Offshore personnel are scarce and often sit idle during the actual surveys. “We offer an alternative. Our drones are compact and autonomous, require no specialist expertise and deliver reliable data with fewer people and resources”, Danny explains.
At the end of 2023, Lobster Robotics was selected to join the NATO DIANA accelerator programme, which supports tech startups in adapting their commercial technologies to defence and security needs across the Alliance.
Drones for defence
After the company demonstrated its technology to the Royal Dutch Navy, it advanced to the second round. Danny points out, “That’s when we learned about the specific requirements for military-grade systems, such as the need for immediate data processing rather than delayed reporting. But the product remains 80 to 90 per cent identical to the civil version.” He is well aware of the ethical questions surrounding dual-use innovation for military purposes: “We discuss this regularly within the team and are very careful about where we draw the line. We are proud that our drones can play a meaningful role for the Netherlands, especially in uncertain times like these.”
“The flexibility and accessibility of this ecosystem were vital for us. Without that support, we wouldn’t have got this far.”
Danny Looman, CFO Lobster Robotics
If it works in the North Sea, it works anywhere
Like any scale-up, Lobster Robotics faces its share of practical hurdles. Danny notes that customers often request bespoke solutions, while the company focuses on developing scalable products. He says, “We have to be selective about where we put our time and resources.” Technical challenges add to the mix: navigating safely around large structures such as offshore wind turbines and platforms or operating in challenging environments like the North Sea. With its strong winds, powerful currents and poor visibility, it is considered the ultimate testing ground. “If it works there, it works anywhere”, says Danny. These challenges make continuous innovation essential to keep the technology widely applicable.
Zuid-Holland’s innovation ecosystem
The regional ecosystem proved crucial in Lobster Robotics’ journey from student project to scale-up. While still at university, the founders found workspace, guidance and a valuable network at tech incubator YES!Delft. Early-stage funding from Zuid-Holland’s proof-of-concept fund UNIIQ enabled the leap from prototype to product. Danny recalls, “The flexibility and accessibility of this ecosystem were vital for us. Without that support, we wouldn’t have got this far.” InnovationQuarter’s focus on identifying and supporting companies with potential in dual-use innovation has also played a key role.
A thousand drones in five years
Lobster Robotics’ ambition is to have a thousand drones in operation within the next five years. As Danny explains, only at that scale can the company make a genuine impact: “We founded Lobster Robotics to make ocean research accessible—not just for large corporations but for smaller organisations too.” The aim is for larger companies to buy their own drones, while smaller firms can hire them on a project basis. That way, reliable underwater data will soon be available to a much wider audience, finally giving us a clearer picture of what is really happening at the bottom of the sea.
About this series
Lobster Robotics was part of the InnovationQuarter pavilion at ZIE 2025. For this interview series, we spoke with several South Holland-based companies about the developments they have undergone, their collaborations and the growth opportunities they are looking to seize. Each company highlights how regional strength can help tackle global challenges. Watch the video featuring Lobster Robotics.
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