Boosted by Defense and Starlink, Orca AI Secures $72.5 Million for Autonomous Shipping Platform The autonomous navigation market, where ships use artificial intelligence (AI) to steer themselves, saving time and fuel, is expected to surpass $11 billion by 2028. This promising projection has opened doors for companies like Orca AI, which recently secured $72.5 million in a Series B funding round led by Brighton Park Capital. Additional investment came from Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures, existing investors in the London-based company. To date, Orca AI has raised over $111 million, including a $23 million round last year. What catalyzed this substantial new investment? According to Orca AI's CEO, Yarden Gross, the answer is clear: defense. Orca AI, founded in 2018 by Gross and CTO Dor Raviv, leverages AI to enhance decision-making and autonomy in maritime navigation. Their system, built on a vast marine visual dataset covering over 80 million nautical miles, aims to reduce collision risks and free up crew members to focus on other essential tasks. While Orca AI’s primary operations remain in the commercial sector, where it has already established several partnerships and proof-of-concept (POC) projects, the company is increasingly eyeing opportunities in defense. Navies worldwide are looking for more cost-effective vessels that can operate with minimal human intervention. "We see significant potential in the defense sector," Gross explained to TechCrunch. "We've already signed our first defense contract and deployed our technology on a navy ship." Another crucial factor driving Orca AI’s growth is the expansion of Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet service. Starlink's ability to transmit real-time data from ship sensors has opened up new possibilities for the company. "With Starlink, we can collect data on a much larger scale directly from the ship sensors. This is a major advantage," Gross said. A 2024 analysis of Orca AI’s alert system demonstrated its effectiveness, showing a 54% reduction in close encounter events and an average fuel savings of $100,000 per vessel annually. These results underscore the platform's potential to improve safety and efficiency in maritime operations. Orca AI is not alone in this burgeoning field. Competitors such as Avikus, a subsidiary of Hyundai HD, and Sea Machines are also developing autonomous navigation technologies for ships. However, Orca AI's unique blend of AI expertise, extensive maritime data, and strategic partnerships places it at the forefront of this innovation. Mike Butcher, formerly Editor-at-Large of TechCrunch, highlights the broader impact of Orca AI’s advancements. Known for his influential role in European technology journalism, Butcher has been recognized by Wired UK and has interviewed numerous tech leaders and public figures. He emphasizes the significance of reducing marine accidents and improving operational efficiency in both commercial and defense contexts. In summary, Orca AI's recent funding round reflects growing confidence in its autonomous shipping platform, particularly in the defense sector. Supported by the enhanced connectivity provided by Starlink, the company is poised to make significant contributions to maritime safety and efficiency.