Viam and Kongsberg announce groundbreaking AI partnership to revolutionize sonar fishfinding

Announced today at the Palm Beach International Boat Show, the partnership provides users of Kongsberg Discovery's Simrad SY50 with AI-driven insights and data

NEW YORK, March 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Viam, the engineering platform for data, AI and automation, today announced a partnership with technology provider Kongsberg Discovery, part of KONGSBERG Group. Together, the companies are pioneering the use of AI for sonars in commercial and recreational fishing.

The partnership is focused on Kongsberg Discovery's Simrad SY50, a compact omnidirectional medium-frequency fish-finding sonar. Viam's technology allows SY50 users to translate complex sonar data into actionable targets and use AI to automatically tune key settings. Global fleets can seamlessly connect to the cloud and captains can now instantly view underwater activity, enabling smarter decisions and enhancing performance.

"In many ways, we still have so much to learn about our oceans," said Viam Founder and CEO, Eliot Horowitz. "Integrating Viam's AI technology with Kongsberg's cutting-edge SY50 sonars will help us reach a greater level of understanding and enable better connected, safer, and more sustainable oceans."

The integration comes at a critical moment for the fishing industry, which faces increased pressure to improve efficiency and meet stringent sustainability requirements. Viam's technology helps Kongsberg Discovery's users to fish more precisely, reduce fuel consumption, and limit bycatch while improving safety through improved navigation and weather condition awareness. The partnership, which began with a pilot program earlier this year, lays the foundation for a comprehensive system where real-time data helps forecast fish migration patterns, monitor populations for conservation efforts, and transform marine resource management on a global scale.

"Partnering with Viam provides an incredible opportunity to bring transformative AI technology into our sonar technology, benefitting fishing operations around the world," said Kongsberg Discovery's Martin Tollefsen. "With Viam, fleets gain real-time insight and can process data more efficiently, significantly improving efficiency and sustainability."

Kongsberg Discovery's value creation relies on its technology backbone, built through decades of investment and expertise in key areas. "This deep knowledge spans from material physics to application domains, enhancing competitiveness. AI increasingly contributes to our products and solutions, complementing our understanding of physical phenomena in harsh marine environments," Tollefsen continues.

Viam's platform helps companies add cutting-edge capabilities to existing systems and build new ones fast by integrating AI, data and automation. The company was launched in 2020 by Eliot Horowitz, former co-founder and CTO of publicly traded database giant MongoDB. Earlier in March, Viam closed a Series C funding round, led by Union Square Ventures.

About Viam 
Viam helps companies unlock the power of AI, data and automation in the physical world. We provide a single platform for engineers of all disciplines to solve problems together and build solutions that are fast and future-proof. Viam powers solutions across robotics, food and beverage, climate tech, marine, industrial manufacturing, and more. Founded in 2020 by former MongoDB co-founder and CTO Eliot Horowitz, Viam is headquartered in New York City. viam.com

About Kongsberg Discovery
Kongsberg Discovery serves the ocean space from the deepest sea to outer space. We develop technology to ensure sustainable management of marine resources, monitor climate change and critical infrastructure, and safeguard national security. kongsberg.com/discovery

About KONGSBERG Group
KONGSBERG specializes in developing advanced technologies to provide extreme performance for extreme conditions. Working together as a global team, we have created an integrated portfolio of solutions for businesses, partners and nations operating from the depths of the sea, outer space and the digital frontier. We protect people and the planet by innovating technology today for a better tomorrow. kongsberg.com

CONTACT: Christopher Farrell, chris@wearebeginners.co

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SOURCE Viam, Inc.