Vaarst

Vaarst is a marine robotics technology company that provides autonomous robotics and data solutions for the marine and energy sectors. It was launched in March 2021 as a technology spin-off from its sister company, Rovco, by founder Brian Allen. The separation was intended to accelerate advancement in ocean robotics and offer its technology to a broader market beyond Rovco's direct services. In September 2024, it was announced that Vaarst and Rovco would merge under a new brand, Beam, to unify their capabilities in AI, computer vision, and robotics for the offshore wind industry. However, by May 2025, the merged entity Beam reportedly made all staff redundant following significant financial losses.

Vaarst specializes in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and underwater 3D computer vision to enhance the management of marine infrastructure and asset integrity. The company's core product is the SubSLAM X2, an intelligent data collection system that mounts on remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). This technology delivers live 4K video and simultaneous, high-resolution 3D point cloud models with sub-millimeter accuracy, allowing for real-time inspection and analysis from anywhere in the world. This system is designed to significantly reduce the cost and time of subsea inspections by as much as 80%, while improving safety by reducing the number of personnel required at sea.

The company's business model focused on providing its technology to clients in offshore wind, oil and gas, maritime security, and marine sciences. Its services included asset integrity surveys, subsea metrology for construction, and pipeline inspections. Before the merger and subsequent issues, Vaarst had secured significant funding, including a $20 million Series B round in April 2022, from investors such as Legal & General Capital, Equinor, and the US intelligence community's strategic investor, In-Q-Tel. The company had global expansion plans with offices intended for the US and Japan.

Keywords: subsea robotics, marine technology, 3D computer vision, autonomous underwater vehicles, AUV, remotely operated vehicle, ROV, SubSLAM, data collection, point cloud, machine learning, offshore wind, asset integrity management, hydrographic survey, marine robotics, offshore energy, Brian Allen, Beam, Rovco