UK software assurance specialist D-RisQ Ltd has been selected to support an autonomy programme led by subsea engineering firm Soil Machine Dynamics Ltd (SMD), as the company advances next-generation remotely operated and autonomous underwater systems.
SMD, based in Wallsend near Newcastle upon Tyne, is known for its development of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) used in subsea environments, particularly for cable laying. The company is now working to introduce greater autonomy into its operations, with a focus on improving safety, efficiency and performance in complex underwater conditions.
Central to this effort is the assurance of the software underpinning autonomous capabilities. D-RisQ’s automated verification technologies have been deployed to support the development process, providing end-to-end validation across system requirements, design and source code. The tools generate evidence to support safety cases, a critical requirement for deploying autonomous systems in high-risk environments.
Nick Tudor, CEO and co-founder of D-RisQ, said the collaboration has already delivered early-stage progress.
“We have helped them to undertake initial specification and design work for their autonomy programme and subsequently provided them with our high productivity tools to continue to explore and develop their innovative technology. We look forward to seeing the results of their efforts in the water soon.”
– Nick Tudor, CEO and co-founder of D-RisQ.
SMD’s Innovation Director, Mark Collins, said the partnership is enabling faster development without compromising on safety.
“Their tools give us the confidence that the software behind our next-generation systems is built on solid ground, which is essential as we push further into autonomous operations. It’s helping our team move faster, without compromising on safety or reliability.”
– Mark Collins, Innovation Director, SMD.
SMD’s autonomy programme forms a core part of its long-term innovation strategy, focused on enhancing how subsea vehicles navigate, make decisions and operate in challenging environments. The company aims to reduce offshore risk exposure while improving operational efficiency for customers across global subsea markets.
D-RisQ’s verification platform uses formal methods—also known as automated reasoning—to mathematically prove the reliability and compliance of embedded software. This approach is increasingly being applied to safety-critical systems, including autonomous decision-making and real-time control applications, where robust validation is essential.
The collaboration reflects growing demand for assured software as autonomy expands across industrial sectors, particularly in environments where safety and reliability are paramount.
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