Reach Robotics' 4.5kg electric subsea arm lifts 10kg at 450m, displacing hydraulics
lukas_m_ziegler · x · 2026-09-16
Reach Robotics is shaking up subsea intervention with Bravo, an all-electric ROV manipulator. Traditional subsea arms rely on hydraulics — oil power packs, heavy mass, and work-class ROVs big enough to carry them; even turning a single valve could mean mobilising a vessel. Bravo weighs just 4.5 kg in water (near neutrally buoyant) yet lifts over 10 kg, rated to 450 metres of seawater. Control pairs a master arm with one-to-one joint matching for fine work, space-mouse pods for driving two manipulators at once, and a 3D visualisation layer. Electric actuation's real unlock is reach: light commercial vehicles can now handle cutting, grabbing and other intervention work once reserved for work-class rigs.
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