# MeCO AUV: Interactive Robotics and Vision Laboratory (IRV Lab) maritime robot

Canonical ID: `731e6b8b-61e4-4516-9c35-134b2ccfeb14`

- **Slug:** meco-auv
- **Form factor:** maritime ([Maritime](/maritime))
- **Maturity stage:** research
- **Lifecycle:** active
- **Deployments registered:** 2

## Deployments

- [meco-auv-caribbean-sea-barbados](/deployments/meco-auv-caribbean-sea-barbados.md) at Caribbean Sea, Barbados (id: `1d3b158b-69c3-47dd-b016-728d0b10229e`)
- [meco-auv-lake-superior-duluth-minnesota-usa](/deployments/meco-auv-lake-superior-duluth-minnesota-usa.md) at Lake Superior, Duluth, Minnesota, USA (id: `fb0e6037-65da-4192-a41d-100798569737`)

## Supply chain

_No verified supply relationships on file. Supply-chain coverage is being added across the registry; check back as the seed populates this model's suppliers._

_Suppliers appear when verified with at least two strong sources. Sources are append-only; corrections add new sources rather than rewrite history._

## Common questions

### What is MeCO AUV?

Medium Cost Open-source autonomous underwater vehicle designed for research in underwater human-robot interaction, marine conservation, and aquatic species management. Features multiple sensors, modular components, and AI-powered vision for detecting and tracking invasive species. Field-tested in Lake Superior, Square Lake (Minnesota), and the Caribbean Sea off Barbados.

### How much does MeCO AUV cost?

MeCO AUV's price is not publicly disclosed. DEPLOY has no verified price on record for MeCO AUV from Interactive Robotics and Vision Laboratory (IRV Lab). Physical-AI systems like this are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price; check the manufacturer for the latest.

### Is MeCO AUV actually deployed in the real world?

Yes. MeCO AUV is independently verified in real-world operation on the DEPLOY registry, confirmed at named deployment sites with primary sources: not a concept, render, or demo-only.

### Who makes MeCO AUV?

MeCO AUV is made by Interactive Robotics and Vision Laboratory (IRV Lab), based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, founded in 2014.

### Where is MeCO AUV deployed?

2 verified deployments of MeCO AUV are on the DEPLOY registry, including at Caribbean Sea, Barbados, Lake Superior, Duluth, Minnesota, USA.

### Can you buy MeCO AUV?

MeCO AUV is at research stage and is not yet available for sale.

### What are alternatives to MeCO AUV?

On the DEPLOY registry, comparable maritime robots to MeCO AUV include Shihang Orca.

### How does MeCO AUV compare to Shihang Orca?

MeCO AUV and Shihang Orca (Shihang Intelligent · 3 deployments) are both maritime robots on the DEPLOY registry. MeCO AUV has 2 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.

### What is MeCO AUV's maturity stage?

MeCO AUV is at the research stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Research stage means active development without commercial deployments on file.


## Sources (2)

1. **The MeCO (Medium Cost Open-source) AUV** · https://irvlab.cs.umn.edu/robots/meco-medium-cost-open-source-auv
2. **Design and Development of the MeCO Open-Source Autonomous Underwater Vehicle** · https://arxiv.org/html/2503.10928v1

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