Crossing the Valley Ep. 39: LAUNCH DAY - Introducing Blue Water Autonomy
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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!
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Founding Story of Blue Water Autonomy
- Rylan Hamilton and Austin Gray met through a mutual acquaintance who recognized their shared interest in maritime autonomy.
- Their initial meeting was at a bar in Boston, quickly followed by calls and discussions that solidified their partnership and vision for Blue Water Autonomy.
Identifying the Gap in Autonomous Ships
- Blue Water Autonomy identified a gap in the market for large, truly autonomous ships without chase boats.
- Existing autonomous vessels require frequent human intervention, a limitation BWA aims to overcome for reliable open-ocean operation.
Engaging with Navy Customers
- Understand the specific needs of various stakeholders within the Navy, including end-users and program offices.
- Balance the requirements of different offices by carefully scoping the problem and aligning their needs with available resources and overall mission.