SUT-US Developing Underwater Robotics & AI: Challenges, Lessons Learned, and Opportunities

Starts: Thu, Nov 19, 2026 5:30 PM CST
Ends: Thu, Nov 19, 2026 8:30 PM CST
Become a Member Now


We are delighted to welcome you to an engaging presentation on Developing Underwater Robotics & AI: Challenges, Lesson Learned, and Opportunities. The event will feature a panel discussionwith: Dave Fraser - Chevron Coner Friedmann - Standard Subsea Yasmin Sodré - SPE Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section Sakib Mahmud, Ph.D. - Texas A&M University Qiang Zhu, Ph.D. candidate - University of Houston We are excited to present this special collaborative event between SUT-US and SPE Robotics & Automation Systems. The event will take place on November 19 at Great Heights Brewing Company, and we would be delighted to have you join us. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and underwater robotics are rapidly evolving from research initiatives and pilot projects into operational tools that are transforming offshore industries. This panel brings together perspectives from an offshore operator, a technology startup, a service provider, and an AI company to discuss how innovative technologies are being successfully deployed in real-world offshore environments. The discussion will explore lessons learned from scaling autonomous and remote operations, integrating AI-driven decision support, advancing subsea inspection and intervention capabilities, and overcoming technical, and regulatory challenges. By highlighting the priorities and experiences of key stakeholder across the innovation ecosystem, the panel will provide attendees with a comprehensive view of what it takes to turn breakthrough technologies into reliable, scalable, and commercially viable offshore solutions.
Panel Discussion Speakers:
	Dave Fraser Conor is the Head of Growth at Standard Subsea, an El Segundo, CA-based company building and operating robotic workboats for inland, coastal, and offshore surface-to-seabed infrastructure inspections. Conor focuses on building customer relationships and company operations, scaling the company since its founding. Previously, Conor was a venture capital investor at Lavrock Ventures, where he invested in early-stage technology companies focused on national security and defense. He began his career in equity research at Point72 on the oil & gas and industrials desk.
	Conor Friedmann David Fraser is the Senior Marine Robotics Deployment Engineer and Chevron's Enterprise ROV Subject Matter Expert, based in Houston, Texas, with more than 30 years of experience in marine robotics, subsea operations and inspection technology. He is responsible for developing Chevron's Marine Robotics Roadmap and long-term vision, helping define the company's future direction for robotic, remote and autonomous offshore operations. His work spans deepwater autonomous operations, uncrewed surface vessels, low-logistics robotics, remote operations and robotic inspection technologies, with a focus on moving emerging technologies into safe, repeatable field deployment while reducing personnel exposure and offshore logistics.
	Yasmin Sodré - SPE Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section Yasmin Sodré is a Commercial Project Manager at Fugro based in Houston, Texas, specializing in uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), offshore robotics, and digital solutions for the energy industry. With experience across Brazil, India, and the United States, she leads complex projects that combine technology deployment, commercial strategy, offshore operations, and client engagement. Passionate about innovation and autonomy, Yasmin works closely with operators, technology providers, and industry partners to advance the adoption of robotics, and remote operations in offshore environments. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering, an MBA in Oil & Energies from COPPE/UFRJ, is PMP-certified, and volunteers with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section (RAS-TS), supporting industry collaboration and the advancement of autonomous technologies in the energy sector.
	Sakib Mahmud, Ph.D. Dr. Mahmud is a physical oceanographer and autonomous systems specialist with more than eight years of experience developing and operating ocean-observing platforms, including autonomous underwater and surface vehicles (AUVs and ASVs). As a Postdoctoral Researcher and Autonomous Vehicles Operations Lead at Texas A&M University, he oversees a fleet of autonomous vehicles conducting research across U.S., Mexican, and Cuban waters. His expertise spans mission planning, sensor integration, telemetry systems, and scientific data management. Dr. Mahmud also applies machine learning and deep learning techniques to oceanographic datasets, advancing innovative solutions for environmental monitoring and ocean technology at the intersection of science, engineering, and applied research.
	Qiang Zhu, Ph.D. Qiang Zhu, is a Ph.D. candidate student in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Houston, he is conducting research in the Bio-Inspired Robotics and Controls Lab. His work focuses on underwater robotics and autonomous control, with a particular interest in applying artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques to enable intelligent inspection, localization, and decision-making for subsea systems. Currently, He is developing autonomous ROV systems for smart-touch flange inspection, which integrates long-range sonar-based SLAM for navigation and short-range image-based visual servoing (IBVS) for precise manipulation. The system uses tactile sensing through piezoceramic-equipped grippers to assess bolt looseness. His research aims to support safer and more efficient offshore infrastructure inspection by reducing reliance on human divers and increasing system autonomy in unstructured underwater environments.
Organizing Committee:
	Yasmin Sodré - SPE Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section Yasmin Sodré is a Commercial Project Manager at Fugro based in Houston, Texas, specializing in uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), offshore robotics, and digital solutions for the energy industry. With experience across Brazil, India, and the United States, she leads complex projects that combine technology deployment, commercial strategy, offshore operations, and client engagement. Passionate about innovation and autonomy, Yasmin works closely with operators, technology providers, and industry partners to advance the adoption of robotics, and remote operations in offshore environments. She holds a degree in Industrial Engineering, an MBA in Oil & Energies from COPPE/UFRJ, is PMP-certified, and volunteers with the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Robotics and Autonomous Systems Technical Section (RAS-TS), supporting industry collaboration and the advancement of autonomous technologies in the energy sector.
	Roneet Das - SUT-US Young Professionals Committee Roneet Das is a geotechnical engineer and researcher with experience across offshore and onshore energy projects. His work focuses on soil–structure interaction, interface shear behavior, geotechnical instrumentation, and geohazard assessment in terrestrial and marine environments. He has led laboratory testing and interpretive programs supporting offshore developments in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Mozambique, contributing to ground models and geotechnical bases of design for foundations, risers, and pipelines. His research applies Bayesian methods to pipe–soil interaction and slope stability. Roneet currently serves as Chair of the SUT Young Professionals Committee.
	Dr. Keshawa Shukla, PhD., SUT-US Subsea Engineering and Operations Dr. Shukla is Professor of Subsea Engineering in Department of Ocean Engineering at Texas A&M University. He has over 37 years of experience in Academia & Oil/Gas Industry involving teaching, research, service and working on major projects. His current activities focus on teaching subsea engineering subjects of oil and gas production - Fundamentals of SS Eng., Flow Assurance & Operability, SS Production Operations, Professional Development Seminar, and The Hydrogen Economy and Renewable Energy, etc., with hands-on training in industry software. His courses also cover design and operation of ROV and Robotics as applied to subsea engineering of oil and gas systems. Prior to joining Texas A&M, he was associated with major oil/gas industries such as Halliburton, Technip Offshore, Intecsea, McDermott and Gulf Interstate having extensive experience working on all phases of global projects of oil and gas production ranging from shallow to ultradeep water environments. He is also involved in conducting research and mentoring M.S. and Ph.D. students in areas of flow assurance & operability, multiphase flow/multiphase boosting, green hydrogen production, carbon sequestration, etc. Dr. Shukla currently serves as Chair of the SUT-Subsea Engineering Operations (SEO) Europe & Atlantic Committee.
	Dr. Zheng Chen, PhD., SUT-US Robotics and Automation Committee Dr. Zheng Chen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Houston and Director of the Bio-inspired Robotics and Controls Lab. His research focuses on bio-inspired robotics, artificial muscles, dynamics and control systems, electroactive polymers, biomedical devices, and renewable energy technologies. He earned his B.E. and M.E. degrees from Zhejiang University and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University. Before joining the University of Houston in 2017, he held academic and industry positions at Wichita State University, University of Virginia, and Baker Hughes. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Chen has served as Chair of the SUT-US Robotics and Automation Committee for the past two years, helping advance collaboration and innovation in underwater robotics, automation, and emerging technologies within the subsea industry. He is the recipient of the prestigious NSF CAREER Award for his pioneering work in artificial muscle technologies and intelligent robotic systems.
Also, we are offering a members; discount to SPE members. Please make sure you check the box when registering for this event!
If you are interested in sponsoring this event click here!
Organizing Committee: Young Professionals Committee, Subsea Engineering & Operations, and Robotics & Automation