Australian artificial intelligence startup Greenroom Robotics has announced it has been granted one of the first AUKUS licence exemptions by the Australian government. This significant milestone has allowed Greenroom to share sensitive autonomous vessel software with defence contractors in the United States and Britain, boosting international collaboration under the Australia-UK-US (AUKUS) security pact.
AUKUS Exemption Opens New Markets for Greenroom Robotics
The licence exemption removes key restrictions under the U.S. International Trafficking in Arms Regulations (ITAR), streamlining defence trade and innovation. According to Greenroom co-founder and former Royal Australian Navy engineer Harry Hubbert, this development will accelerate the company’s ability to conduct autonomous vessel trials with defence partners in both the UK and the U.S. “The opportunity with AUKUS is that we can enter the U.S. and UK markets but also expand the horizon,” said Hubbert in an interview with Reuters.
Australia’s defence strategy increasingly emphasises autonomous systems to safeguard its vast 1.2 million square miles (3.1 million sq km) of northern ocean territory alongside investments in nuclear-powered submarines.
How Greenroom’s Software Powers Crewless Vessels
Greenroom Robotics develops software that functions as the “brain” of autonomous vessels. Acting like a digital helmsman or navigator, the AI system integrates with a vessel’s rudder, engine, and radar to enable unmanned navigation and mission execution.
The company has tested its technology on a range of boats, from small one-metre-long research vessels to large offshore patrol boats. Greenroom’s partnerships include collaborations with:
- Austal Australia, a major navy shipbuilder
- British firm Subsea Craft, working on tactical water vessels
Hubbert highlighted that the software’s dual-use capability extends beyond defence applications. It can also help commercial and research vessels monitor marine life, including whales, making it valuable for both security and environmental monitoring.
Strengthening Australia’s Defence and Research Capabilities
With approximately 80% of the ocean floor still uncharted, Greenroom Robotics’ technology has broad applications across:
- National security
- Marine research and exploration
- Seaborne trade and logistics
Defence officials have indicated that autonomous systems such as those developed by Greenroom will play a critical role in protecting Australia’s maritime interests, complementing its investment in nuclear submarines under AUKUS.
Why This Matters for the Defence Tech Ecosystem
The AUKUS pact, signed by Australia, the United States, and Britain, aims to bolster security and technology cooperation between the three nations. The new ITAR exemption, introduced in August 2025, is designed to speed up defence-related technology sharing, particularly around the construction of nuclear-powered submarines and emerging technologies such as autonomous vessels.
By securing one of the first licences of its kind, Greenroom Robotics is positioned as a key player in the future of autonomous maritime systems across the AUKUS alliance.
