Robot maker · early
Impossible Metals
YC W22 company building the Eureka line of large autonomous underwater vehicles for selective deep-sea harvesting of polymetallic (battery-metal) nodules. The AUVs hover on buoyancy control and use computer vision plus robotic arms to pick individual nodules while avoiding seafloor fauna and minimizing sediment plumes, in contrast to dredge-style collector vehicles. Eureka I completed a proof-of-concept selective-harvest trial in December 2022; Eureka II completed deep-water testing in April 2024; Eureka III targets 4,000 kg of nodules per trip with first ocean mining tests planned for 2026. Signed an MOU with Deep Sea Minerals Corp. in July 2026 covering test mining and pilot production planning.
Company overview
Identity and operating footprint
Robot models
Specifications remain vendor-claimed
Eureka II
- Selective seabed harvesting using buoyancy control, computer vision and robotic arms without disturbing seafloor life
Hovering AUV that identifies and picks individual polymetallic nodules, avoiding megafauna and sediment plumes
Claim source
Eureka III
- Designed to carry 4,000 kg of nodules per trip
Payload capacity target of the third-generation harvesting AUV
Claim source
Company timeline
Milestones and announcements
Source ledger
3 unique public sources