About Smart Sound Plymouth
Smart Sound Plymouth is the UK's premier testbed for marine autonomy, providing secure, authorised water space and world-class expertise to support the design, testing, and development of new marine technologies.
Our Mission
Following Plymouth’s designation as the UK’s national centre for marine autonomy, and its recognition within the UK Defence Strategy, Smart Sound Plymouth provides a secure and versatile proving ground for next-generation autonomous and maritime systems.
Our mission is to accelerate marine technology from concept to market-ready solutions, supporting organisations across the defence, offshore and science sectors.
Facilities and Expertise
Operated by Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Smart Sound combines over 50 years of marine science expertise with commercial experience. The facility offers:
- Access to a variety of water depths, sea states, and weather conditions, including sub-surface trials to 75m
- World-class onshore laboratories and advanced testing environments for small and large equipment
- A dedicated team supporting multiplatform missions, from planning through to data collection and analysis
Leadership Team
Professor James Fishwick
Head of Innovation
Leading scientific excellence and technological advancement in marine autonomy
Sam Fawcett
Head of Commercial
Driving commercial delivery and strategic partnerships across the sector
Ensuring that science and commercial delivery are fully integrated
Our Capabilities
An unparalleled combination of expertise, infrastructure, and partnerships
Environmental Data
Long-term environmental data through the Western Channel Observatory, providing unparalleled context for your testing
Strategic Partnerships
Partnerships with leading organisations in the marine sector including the UK's largest marine science grouping
FAST Cluster
The UK's premier triple helix autonomy cluster: Future Autonomous at Sea Technologies (FAST)
System-of-Systems
Testing with interconnected surface, sub-surface, and aerial platforms for comprehensive mission scenarios
Digital Twins
Digital twins and simulations to support autonomous technology assurance and regulation
Regulatory Support
Expert guidance navigating UK maritime regulations and securing trial approvals for your projects
How We Help
Tailored solutions for common marine autonomy challenges
Scientific Validation
Environmental baseline data and scientific validation for maritime technologies through decades of research
Security & Compliance
Secure operations with cyber security compliance and defence procurement readiness (JOSCAR, Aurora, Helios)
Safe Deployment
Expert deployment of sensitive equipment in offshore environments with state-of-the-art vessel support
Expert Guidance
Comprehensive support for first-time autonomous system trials, from concept to completion
Diverse Testing Conditions
Testing across varied depths (up to 75m), sea states, and environmental conditions in authorised waters
Regulatory Navigation
Support navigating UK maritime regulations and securing trial approvals through established relationships
What Our Partners Say
Trusted by leading organisations in the marine sector
"The critical role Plymouth Marine Laboratory are playing, providing us with these excellent testing facilities at sea, is a uniquely invaluable service to UK industry, which we have no other way of duplicating."
Dr Nick Webb
Delta-T Devices Ltd
"University of Plymouth experts helped AutoNaut make the crucial step from workshops and test tanks to open water. From the Marine Station, AutoNaut proved their capability to perform unmanned passive acoustic monitoring trials in the Plymouth Smart Sound."
Phil Johnston
Autonaut
"We've made developments to our genomics data processing pipeline with the assistance of Data Science experts from the Marine Biological Association. Applied Genomics now have enhanced processing ability to support our genomics based environmental biodiversity assessments."
Seb Mynott
Applied Genomics