Crossing the Valley cover image

Crossing the Valley

Ep. 39: LAUNCH DAY - Introducing Blue Water Autonomy

Apr 9, 2025
Rylan Hamilton and Austin Gray, co-founders of Blue Water Autonomy, dive into the exciting world of autonomous ships tailored for the U.S. Navy. With Hamilton's extensive military experience and Gray's dual degree from HBS and MIT, they share their vision of merging technology and defense. Topics include their groundbreaking approach of building vessels that require minimal human maintenance, challenges in aligning tech with military needs, and lessons learned from a summer spent in Ukraine's defense tech landscape. Get ready for a naval innovation revolution!
38:03

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Blue Water Autonomy aims to revolutionize naval operations by creating autonomous ships capable of independent functioning without chase boats, fulfilling crucial mission requirements.
  • The founders emphasize collaboration with Navy stakeholders to ensure their vessels meet diverse operational needs, focusing on reliability and manufacturability in a competitive landscape.

Deep dives

Introduction to Blue Water Autonomy

Blue Water Autonomy is an innovative startup focused on developing autonomous ships for maritime operations, primarily aimed at supplementing the U.S. Navy's existing fleet. Co-founders Rylan Hamilton and Austin Gray bring a wealth of experience from the military and the technology sector, intending to create a new category of unmanned vessels. They emphasize that their initial customer is the Navy and are committed to designing ships that not only fulfill current requirements but also advance the capabilities of the naval fleet. The company's approach is mission-first, identifying gaps in naval autonomy and working diligently to address those needs through thorough research and development.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner