{"id":44786,"date":"2026-10-27T11:07:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T15:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/?post_type=cu_story&p=44786"},"modified":"2026-10-28T12:40:06","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T16:40:06","slug":"from-aerospace-to-the-sea-how-carleton-alumni-are-navigating-the-future-of-underwater-autonomy","status":"publish","type":"cu_story","link":"https:\/\/carleton.ca\/engineering-design\/story\/from-aerospace-to-the-sea-how-carleton-alumni-are-navigating-the-future-of-underwater-autonomy\/","title":{"rendered":"From Aerospace to the Sea: How Carleton Alumni are Navigating the Future of Underwater Autonomy"},"content":{"rendered":" \n
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\n From Aerospace to the Sea: How Carleton Alumni are Navigating the Future of Underwater Autonomy \n <\/h1>\n \n <\/header>\n <\/div>\n\n \n <\/path>\n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

In a backyard saltwater pool, a small autonomous underwater vehicle slipped beneath the surface. For an hour, it operated untethered, responding to commands, maneuvering through the water, and returning without leaks or electronics failures.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For Samuel Scrivens, CEO and co-founder of Pelagos<\/a>, the successful test of their Vantage micro- autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) proved that an innovative idea conceived by a young team of engineers could become reality.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scrivens and Pelagos co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Shrey Naphade are graduates of Carleton University\u2019s Aerospace Engineering<\/a> program. While their careers ultimately led them underwater rather than into space, the foundational engineering principles they honed at Carleton remain relevant.  <\/p>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The Vantage AUV by Pelagos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

Strong Foundations and New Challenges<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe idea wasn’t to build an autonomous underwater vehicle. The idea was that we could<\/em> build it,” says Scrivens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their complementary engineering strengths shaped Vantage\u2019s development: Scrivens leads the vehicle\u2019s autonomy, guidance and control systems, while Naphade leads its mechanical, propulsion, and battery design. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\u201cWater finds every mistake. One bad seal can end a mission. An hour underwater without leaks isn\u2019t luck; it\u2019s months of stressing over details nobody will ever see,\u201d says Naphade. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Engineering was only one part of the challenge, and the team had to step outside their comfort zones to learn the business side of entrepreneurship, like fundraising, business development, and investor relations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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