Atomionics Opens Asia’s First Quantum Sensing Hub for Ocean Mapping

More of the surface of Mars has been mapped at high resolution than the floor of our own oceans, a disparity Atomionics aims to correct with the opening of Asia’s first integrated quantum sensing hub in Singapore. Backed by Enterprise Singapore and Cap Vista, the company is developing a marine intelligence capability using quantum gravimetry to create three-dimensional readings of the sea, seabed, and subsurface.

“To see beneath the water is to hold an advantage that spans defence, energy, and infrastructure,” said Dr. Ravi Kumar, Co-founder and CTO of Atomionics, as the firm positions Singapore as a leader in underwater domain awareness.

Quantum Gravimetry Enables 3D Marine Intelligence

Atomionics is developing a new era of oceanographic mapping with the deployment of quantum gravimetry, a technology capable of creating three-dimensional reconstructions of the underwater world. Unlike traditional sonar or lidar, which rely on sound or light, this approach detects subtle variations in gravitational pull caused by mass differences beneath the surface, both on the seabed and within the sediment below. The company’s instrument, GRAVIO, functions by releasing a cloud of atoms into freefall and measuring the minute changes in their descent caused by underlying mass variations.

This data is then processed by an artificial intelligence platform, ORE-O, to generate detailed 3D subsurface maps. Atomionics demonstrated GRAVIO’s robustness in an unexpectedly challenging environment; the instrument successfully built a 3D model of an active mine, matching drill-hole data to better than 95% accuracy despite constant industrial vibrations.

Supporting this development is a combination of public and private investment. Enterprise Singapore and Cap Vista are backing Atomionics’ efforts, recognizing the strategic importance of this marine intelligence capability.

Emily Liew, Assistant Managing Director at Enterprise Singapore, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting that “Atomionics’ achievements demonstrate the growing strength of Singapore’s quantum ecosystem and the conducive environment that enables frontier research to be translated into globally relevant deep-tech innovations.” The ultimate ambition, according to the company, is to create a continuously updated, living 3D map of the Earth’s subsurface, encompassing both land and sea.

GRAVIO Performance Validated in Mining & Open Water

Atomionics is extending the reach of its quantum gravimetry instrument, GRAVIO, beyond terrestrial applications and into challenging marine environments, demonstrating a robustness previously unseen in such sensitive technology. While detailed maps of the Martian surface now exist, a comparable understanding of Earth’s ocean floor remains elusive, a disparity Atomionics aims to address with its three-dimensional subsurface imaging capability.

The implications extend beyond basic mapping; Atomionics envisions a future where critical mineral resources, energy reserves, and potential carbon storage sites beneath the seabed can be identified and accessed with greater efficiency. “Cap Vista invests where commercial technology and strategic capability converge, and quantum sensing sits squarely at that intersection,” said Eunice Ooi, CEO of Cap Vista.

Atomionics & Singapore Advance Quantum Sensing Hub

The 5,700+ square foot facility consolidates the entire lifecycle of quantum instrument development, from fundamental physics research to mechanical assembly and the AI-driven data processing that transforms raw gravity readings into detailed 3D subsurface maps. The core of Atomionics’ innovation lies in GRAVIO, an instrument that detects subtle variations in gravitational fields to reconstruct a three-dimensional picture of the underwater world.

Every mass, whether resting on the seabed, buried beneath sediment, or moving through the water column, exerts a unique gravitational signature. By precisely measuring these signatures, GRAVIO can reveal previously inaccessible information about the ocean’s geology, infrastructure, and resource distribution.

The company envisions applications ranging from securing undersea data cables and locating critical mineral resources to monitoring the integrity of offshore infrastructure and ensuring safe navigation in increasingly busy waterways. “We are building the ability to secure the cables that carry the world’s data, find the resources beneath the seabed, and know the seafloor before we build on it,” said Dr. Ravi Kumar, Co-founder and CTO of Atomionics. This ambition is supported by both public and private investment, including backing from Enterprise Singapore and Cap Vista, the strategic investment arm of the Defence Science and Technology Agency.