Technologies are already woven into every aspect of our life. They are transforming the way we work, we socialize, and we live. Many more of such transformational technologies are on the way. And every new technology and its applications will bring unique legal challenges.

At Nishith Desai Associates, we believe in helping shape the future of law through deep research and thought leadership. Towards fulfilling this mission, we have created this, Sprinting to the Future of Law series.

In each issue of this series, we will analyze an emerging, just-over-the-horizon technology and offer our insights on its possible applications and important legal and other considerations.

You may have heard about Ukraine’s “Sea Baby”. In the current war between Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine’s use of sea drones, charmingly called “sea baby,” have wracked havoc on Russia’s naval assets and infrastructure. Such notoriety has made sea drones famous. But in reality, sea drones offer much more than their military uses.

Sea drones are unmanned vessels that operate in water bodies, such as oceans, lakes, rivers and canals. Because no humans are onboard these vessels, they can operate in hazardous conditions, including in hurricanes and iceberg filled waters; stay underwater longer; go deep in ocean waters; are smaller in size; are easy to maneuver; cost significantly less; and be less conspicuous to and interfering with wildlife.

In this issue of our Sprinting to the Future of Law series, we look at what sea drones are, what are their different types, what is happening in India around sea drones, which foundational technologies are enabling them, which industries would be most interested in them, some legal and regulatory considerations with sea drones, and some operational and environmental concerns with them.

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