US-based technology firm NUBURU and Italian company SunCubes have partnered to develop an innovative underwater wireless power transmission system utilizing laser technology. The joint venture aims to enable cable-free charging for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), oceanographic sensors, and subsea communication networks.

The project, dubbed "DEEP LIGHT," involves a high-power laser transmitter and a specialized receiver capable of converting captured light energy into electrical power. The engineering teams are designing the system to project energy across distances of several dozen meters without requiring physical contact.

The operational efficiency relies on blue and blue-green spectrum laser beams, which experience significantly lower attenuation and scattering in water compared to other wavelengths. The laser development component of the project is being managed by Lyocon S.r.l., a subsidiary of NUBURU. Once deployed, the technology is expected to drastically improve the operational lifespan of AUVs, which are currently restricted by onboard battery capacities and the logistical need to return to docking stations for recharging. The project is currently in its early developmental phase, heading toward initial field testing.