Squarehead Technology becomes member of Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord

Oslo, Norway – May 2026 –Squarehead Technology has joined Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord (OIFO), strengthening the company’s engagement with the Norwegian maritime and ocean industries.

OIFO is a regional innovation and networking forum for the ocean industries in the Oslofjord region and also serves as Maritimt Forum Oslofjorden, part of Norway’s nationwide maritime forum network. Through the Maritime Oslofjord alliance, OIFO collaborates closely with Oslo Rederiforening and Shipping & Offshore Network, connecting industry, technology environments and maritime stakeholders across the region.

By joining OIFO, Squarehead gains access to a broader arena for collaboration within maritime technology, autonomy, digitalization, safety and operational innovation.

“Norway’s maritime sector is entering a period where situational awareness and autonomy are becoming increasingly important. We see Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord as a strong arena for collaboration and knowledge sharing across the maritime industries,” says Peter Brønlund, General Manager and Business Developer Director - Industry in Squarehead.

The Maritime Oslofjord alliance also provides a close connection to the wider maritime ecosystem around Oslo Rederiforening and Norges Rederiforbund, bringing together shipowners, technology companies, ports, research institutions and public stakeholders.

"It is a great pleasure to welcome Squarehead Technology AS to our network. Their capabilities and vision are a fruitful complement to our cluster, and I am confident that their participation will further enhance collaboration, innovation, and shared knowledge across the network”, says Henrik Sjöblom, Chairman of the Board of OIFO & VP of Business Concept at Kongsberg Maritime ASA. “From Kongsberg Maritime ASA point of view, we look forward to the synergies and value we can create together”, Sjöblom adds.

“The maritime industry is one of Norway’s most important arenas for technology development and industrial collaboration. It is therefore a great pleasure for us in Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord (OIFO) to welcome Squarehead Technology AS as a new member”, says Tom O. Kleppestø, CEO of Maritimt Forum, Region Oslofjorden (OIFO). “Through the Maritime Oslofjord Alliance we also include Oslo Shipowners' Association and Shipping & Offshore Network, thus making Squarehead Technology AS part of a significant industrial network both within the Norwegian maritime industry and internationally”, Kleppestø adds.

Squarehead Technology develops advanced acoustic systems for situational awareness, asset management and protection of critical infrastructure. The company’s technology is used globally across defense, maritime security and critical infrastructure applications.

“We look forward to contributing with our expertise within acoustic situational awareness and collaborating with leading maritime and ocean industry players in the Oslofjord region,” says Brønlund.

About Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord
Ocean Industry Forum Oslofjord (OIFO) is a regional forum for innovation, competence development and collaboration across the ocean industries in the Oslofjord region. The organization is part of the national Maritimt Forum network and a member of the Maritime Oslofjord alliance. Maritime Forum Oslofjord is the largest out of the eight regions. 

Squarehead enables 360-degree Drone Detection with new Software Release

Oslo, Norway – May 2026 – Squarehead Technology announces the launch of a new software version enabling 360-degree drone detection with a single sensor. This update represents a significant advancement in Discovair’s drone detection capabilities and marks an important step toward providing full situational awareness.

The new functionality introduces what is referred to as 360° Hemispheric Mode, where the sensor can be deployed horizontally to create a “listening dome” that covers the entire surrounding area. In this configuration, the system not only detects drones across the full hemisphere, but also continuously tracks them in both azimuth and elevation. This configuration significantly expands coverage compared to previous setups, allowing users to monitor a substantially larger area with fewer sensors, thereby significantly reducing cost and logistics overhead during deployment.

In practice, this means users can now achieve full hemispheric coverage, providing broad situational awareness in all directions around the sensor. This expanded coverage is particularly valuable in dynamic operational environments, where threats may emerge from any direction. Whether deployed for base protection, border monitoring, or critical infrastructure security, the ability to detect drones across the full surrounding area reduces blind spots and improves response time.

“This update represents an important step forward for our customers. With 360-degree coverage, drones can now be detected and tracked regardless of the direction it’s coming from, increasing both operational flexibility and effectiveness,” said Espen Bøch, General Manager Defense & Security at Squarehead Technology. “Further, a single sensor can cover four times the area compared to directional mode, thereby cutting investment and operational costs to a quarter,” Bøch added.

The new software also simplifies field deployment, as the sensor can be mounted flat on or close to the ground for rapid setup, while the system automatically manages orientation and visualization of detections. In 360° Hemispheric Mode, no manual azimuth configuration is required, as the system defaults to true north and relies only on a compass for orientation. The system also automatically manages visualization of detections.

With this release, Squarehead further strengthens its position in passive drone detection, delivering a powerful tool for both civilian and military users requiring rapid, continuous airspace monitoring.

Squarehead Technology and Reach Remote Bring Acoustic Asset Management to Autonomous Maritime Operations

Oslo, Norway – May 2026 – Squarehead Technology is proud to announce its collaboration with Reach Subsea in deploying advanced microphone array technology onboard one of the world’s most advanced autonomous offshore vessels.

The pilot installation integrates Squarehead’s acoustic sensor and monitoring capabilities into the Reach Remote autonomous vessel platform to explore a new approach to onboard asset management. The collaboration will focus on how directional sound sensing can support condition monitoring and anomaly detection in the vessel’s engine room, one of the most complex and demanding technical environments onboard.

Reach Remote, developed by Reach Subsea together with Kongsberg Maritime and Massterly, is pioneering uncrewed offshore operations using remotely controlled and autonomous surface vessels designed for subsea inspection, survey and intervention work.

“Our mission is to digitalize the human experience of sound and provide acoustic situational awareness wherever people are no longer physically present,” said Peter Andreas Brønlund, General Manager & Business Development Director in Squarehead Technology. “Autonomous and remotely operated vessels represent a natural and important application for our technology. We are excited to collaborate with Reach Remote on shaping the future of maritime autonomy.”

Squarehead’s acoustic arrays provide continuous monitoring of the machinery space and can detect deviations from normal acoustic behavior, helping reveal issues that might otherwise go unnoticed between inspections. The system can support earlier anomaly detection, improve troubleshooting, and provide recordings and event history for later analysis and verification.

The pilot also contributes to a broader industry movement toward safer, lower-emission offshore operations. Reach Remote vessels are designed to significantly reduce operational emissions and offshore personnel requirements compared to conventional subsea vessels.

By combining advanced autonomy, remote operations and acoustic intelligence, the collaboration demonstrates how Norwegian technology companies continue to lead the development of next-generation maritime systems.

“Acoustic sensing adds an important dimension to autonomous vessel operations,” said Brønlund. “We believe sound will become a critical part of the sensor suite required for safe and trustworthy autonomous maritime operations.”

The pilot installation is part of Squarehead Technology’s continued expansion into maritime and autonomous systems, where acoustic monitoring can strengthen asset management, improve operational insight, and support more efficient maintenance in complex technical environments.

Squarehead Technology joins GCE Blue Maritime Cluster

Oslo, Norway – January 2026 – Squarehead Technology is pleased to announce that the company has joined the GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, strengthening its commitment to collaboration and innovation within the Norwegian maritime ecosystem.

Squarehead Technology is now further expanding its focus on the maritime sector, with particular emphasis on remote monitoring of engine rooms and early detection of equipment faults. By combining directional audio with machine learning, Squarehead’s solutions support safer operations, improved situational awareness, and more reliable vessel performance.

“We see significant potential for our acoustic technology to contribute meaningful value to the vessel ecosystem,” says Peter Brønlund, Business Development Director at Squarehead. “By leveraging directional sound technology for Acoustic Anomaly Detection in engine rooms and machinery spaces, we can enhance decision-making, improve safety, and strengthen operational control across the maritime sector.”

A recent project with Fjord1 demonstrates how Squarehead’s acoustic monitoring solution can contribute to increased reliability and improved cost-efficiency at sea. As part of the collaboration, the solution will be deployed on new autonomous ferries, supporting better oversight and early identification of technical issues.

By joining the GCE Blue Maritime Cluster, Squarehead Technology looks forward to collaborating with fellow cluster members to drive innovation, efficiency, and sustainability across the maritime sector.

Contact us for more information on our maritime operations.

Squarehead Joins Ocean Autonomy Cluster to Strengthen Maritime Innovation

Oslo, December 16, 2025 - Squarehead has joined the Ocean Autonomy Cluster (OAC), marking an important step in our growing engagement within the maritime and autonomous technology sectors. With two decades of experience developing advanced acoustic sensor systems, we see great opportunities to contribute to and learn from Norway’s rapidly evolving autonomy ecosystem.

Acoustic Anomaly Detection in Autonomous Vessels

Squarehead’s advanced microphone arrays enable continuous monitoring of critical onboard systems, including engine and pump rooms, using AI-driven acoustic anomaly detection.

By continuously capturing and analyzing sound patterns in real time, deviations from normal operation can be identified and their source precisely located. This replaces human presence and subjective perception with objective sound monitoring, delivering superhuman awareness and automated precision for early detection of technical issues in machine rooms.

Squarehead’s technology is already widely used in drone detection, security, and industrial monitoring. As autonomous systems become more common at sea, the need for precise and intelligent acoustic awareness is increasing.

Squarehead’s solutions provide:

• AI-driven anomaly detection for early machine error alerts

• Directional sound detection when precise localization supports operations

• Integrated acoustic–visual monitoring for a more complete situational picture

• Environmental acoustic awareness that helps interpret what’s happening around the vessel

A recent contract to deliver AI-driven acoustic anomaly detection systems for four new ferries operating on the E39 Lavik–Oppedal route from September 2026, highlights how our long-standing acoustic expertise is being combined with advanced AI for industrial and autonomous applications. The vessels are part of a program aimed at establishing the world’s first fully autonomous ferry connection.

Read more about Squarehead’s work with Autonomous Vessels here.

Strengthening Collaboration for the Future

Joining the Ocean Autonomy Cluster supports this direction. It allows us to connect with partners across the maritime and autonomy landscape, contribute our expertise, and accelerate our understanding of emerging needs in these markets.

Becoming part of OAC aligns with our ambition to further advance acoustic solutions for maritime and autonomous systems. Through collaboration with industry players, research communities, and technology developers, we aim to help shape the next generation of tools and standards for safe, efficient autonomous operations.

Squarehead Signs Contract with Fjord1 for AI-Driven Acoustic Asset Management on Four New Autonomous Ferries

Oslo, October 28, 2025 - Squarehead has signed a contract with Fjord1 to deliver advanced AI-driven acoustic anomaly detection systems for four new ferries that will operate on the E39 Lavik–Oppedal route starting in September 2026. The vessels are part of Fjord1’s program to develop the world’s first fully autonomous ferry connection.

As part of the project, Fjord1 is establishing a land-based control center to oversee ferry operations. By monitoring operations from shore, vessels can reduce their reliance on manual detection of sound events in engine rooms, which are often early indicators of technical issues. To support improved situational awareness from a land-based control center, Fjord1 and Squarehead are working to implement the use of AI-driven acoustic monitoring technology in engine and pump rooms.

“Autonomous vessels are a prime example of why the technology we deliver is needed. As the world gets more autonomous, we need to digitalize the senses we have always relied heavily on. This contract clearly shows how acoustic situational awareness is increasingly in demand for enabling smarter, safer, and more efficient operations,” says Stig Nyvold, CEO of Squarehead.

Each of the four ferries’ pump- and engine rooms will be equipped with Squarehead’s G2+ microphone arrays, which continuously record and analyze sound patterns in real time to identify deviations from normal operation, and pin-point where those deviations are originating from. This enables early detection of irregularities before they lead to downtime or technical failures, improving safety, efficiency, and operational predictability.

“What we are doing here is not limited to autonomous vessels. The same technology can be applied broadly across the maritime industry, helping ship operators of all kinds gain better insight into technical conditions and safety through sound-based monitoring,” Nyvold adds.

The contract represents an important milestone for Squarehead’s growing Asset Management business in the maritime sector.

Norwegian Defence Material Agency Contracts OSL for C-UAS capability including equipment from Squarehead Technology

August 15, 2025 - The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency has signed a contract with British company Operational Solutions Ltd. (OSL) for the purchase of new anti-drone systems. OSL will integrate sensors and effectors from a number of suppliers including Squarehead Technology.

The systems being acquired are known as anti-drone systems, also called “Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems” or C-UAS, which will protect bases as well as stationary objects and installations from drones.

The framework agreement with OSL will last for four years, with an option to extend for up to three years. The first order concerns anti-drone capacity for Ørland Air Station.

“The framework agreement we have now established will ensure that the Armed Forces have the capacity to combat smaller unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The agreement ensures that we can easily procure more and rapidly expand our capacity. Operational Solutions Ltd. has delivered similar systems to other customers and demonstrated the ability to deliver on time, within budget, and to the required performance,” says Gro Jære, Director of the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency.

The anti-drone system will supplement existing air defense systems and will consist of a command and control system (C2 system), sensors, and effectors—both kinetic and non-kinetic.

Squarehead Technology Wins Defense Contract for Acoustic Sensors to be a part of Counter Battery System

Oslo, May 19, 2025 – Squarehead Technology has secured a significant contract with the Norwegian Armed Forces for the delivery of acoustic passive sensors under project P5007. These sensors will enhance counter battery systems by detecting sounds from indirect fire (IDF), such as Rockets, Artillery and Mortars (RAM).

This contract marks a major milestone for Squarehead Technology, which will supply sensor systems and platform integration kits to the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Acoustic Technology for the Future of Defense Systems

Squarehead’s acoustic sensors will complement existing radar systems by providing emission control, reducing the need for constant radar operation and improving operational security. Squarehead’s Discovair sensor is a multi-purpose system, using sound signatures of objects to detect them. Squarehead has a proven track record of deploying acoustic sensors for passive drone detection (C-UAS) with armed forces in active combat. Being completely passive, the sensors operate undisturbed and undetected in areas heavily congested by jamming or in RF denied environments. Further expanding this capability to detect and classify other threats such as Rockets, Artillery and Mortars, snipers and vehicles, is a natural extension of the capabilities of the Discovair passive acoustic sensor.

– This is a strategically important contract for us. It demonstrates that there is a new need in the defense market for passive sensors in general, and acoustic sensors in particular. This is not only something we are proud to contribute to, but this contract also fosters great opportunities both nationally and internationally, says Stig Nyvold, CEO of Squarehead Technology​.

New Capabilities for Current Conflict Landscape

With the extensive use of indirect fire in modern conflicts, the demand for comprehensive detection systems with combined sensor technology is significant. Squarehead’s passive technology provides the Armed Forces with a lightweight and flexible solution that easily can be integrated into existing and new sensor systems.

– This contract is just the beginning for acoustics as a multi-purpose technology in defense operations. We see great potential for further collaboration with allied forces, Nyvold adds.