ZenaTech's ZenaDrone Develops the IQ Aqua Prototype, an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Intended to Integrate with its Maritime Defense Architecture and Address Underwater Mine Threats
MWN-AI** Summary
On March 31, 2026, ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA), based in Vancouver, announced that its subsidiary ZenaDrone has successfully developed the IQ Aqua, a prototype of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). This innovative technology aims to tackle critical underwater challenges such as mine detection for military applications, marking ZenaTech's entry into the underwater robotics sector and expanding its existing IQ product line that includes air, land, and surface drones.
The IQ Aqua has already exhibited basic autonomous navigation and mobility capabilities in controlled environments, with plans underway to manufacture additional prototypes for outdoor field testing in the U.S. and internationally. CEO Shaun Passley emphasized the significance of autonomous mine detection, presenting it as a solution to a pressing issue in modern maritime defense, where traditional methods of mine countermeasures can prove costly and dangerous.
In addition to defense applications, the IQ Aqua is designed for commercial use, including the inspection of offshore energy infrastructures and harbor security. With major markets like the Gulf Cooperation Council countries targeting their extensive hydrocarbon assets, the potential for commercial adoption of the IQ Aqua is substantial.
The company is focused on developing a next-generation version of the IQ Aqua that will operate without tethers and GPS, enhancing its utility in contested underwater environments. As the underwater drone market is expected to surpass $16 billion by 2034, particularly driven by defense and security applications, ZenaTech is well-positioned to capture a significant share of this growing market.
ZenaTech continues to innovate its comprehensive software and drone solutions, aiming to meet the diverse needs of defense, government, and commercial sectors while improving safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in operations.
MWN-AI** Analysis
ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA) has positioned itself at the forefront of autonomous underwater vehicle development with its recent unveiling of the IQ Aqua prototype, aimed at addressing critical maritime defense challenges, particularly underwater mine threats. Given the projected growth of the global underwater drone market, which is expected to exceed $16 billion by 2034, and the significant military applications of the IQ Aqua, investors should closely monitor ZenaTech's developments.
The IQ Aqua's integration into ZenaTech's existing maritime defense architecture, alongside the IQ Glider and interceptor drones, indicates a comprehensive and innovative approach to modern security needs. The potential for the IQ Aqua to operate in contested and GPS-denied environments adds to its strategic value for defense forces, particularly in uncertain geopolitical climates. This capability not only mitigates risks for personnel but could also result in significant cost savings compared to traditional mine countermeasures.
Moreover, ZenaTech's focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations for future commercial applications highlights the company's understanding of the regional energy demands and infrastructural security needs. The GCC's extensive offshore assets make them strategic partners, as they are likely to adopt advanced autonomous systems for inspection and surveillance, thus expanding ZenaTech's market reach.
As prototypes undergo field testing and development milestones are announced, investors should watch for updates regarding potential contracts with defense entities and commercial sectors. The combination of rising demand for autonomous drone solutions in both military and industrial applications positions ZenaTech for growth.
In conclusion, ZenaTech stands at an intersection of innovation and market demand. Investors looking for exposure to both defense and commercial technology sectors may find ZENA a compelling opportunity, particularly as it progresses with the IQ Aqua and related products. However, as always, potential investors should conduct thorough due diligence and consider market risks before making any investment decisions.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces its ZenaDrone subsidiary has developed the IQ Aqua, an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) prototype intended for multiple underwater use cases across defense and commercial markets, including, importantly, undersea mine detection in a military context. The IQ Aqua marks the company’s entry into underwater robotics, extending Zena Drone’s IQ autonomous product family, which currently spans air, land, and water surface drone operations, to underwater operations. The IQ Aqua prototype has demonstrated baseline autonomous navigation and underwater mobility in controlled environments. The Company is now manufacturing several more prototypes to conduct outdoor underwater field testing in the U.S. and in other international locations to commence over the coming months.
“ZenaDrone IQ Aqua is positioned to address one of the most urgent gaps in modern maritime defense: autonomous mine detection. Mines represent an asymmetric threat that is inexpensive to deploy and extraordinarily expensive to counter using traditional manned methods, and we are building a technology specifically designed to detect them,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “We intend to change that calculus, enabling defense forces to detect and respond to underwater mine threats without putting divers or manned vessels at risk. Combined with our IQ Glider launch station and interceptor drones, the IQ Aqua will give defense forces an integrated above- and below-surface maritime defense architecture, while also addressing significant commercial demand for autonomous underwater inspection and surveillance across the offshore energy and port security sectors.”
Intended future IQ Aqua defense applications include mine detection and countermeasure support, covert underwater intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and port and harbor threat detection. The current prototype operates with a tethered, battery-powered configuration. The company is currently developing the next generation intended to be tether-free and GPS-independent, enabling fully autonomous operation in contested and GPS-denied underwater environments.
In terms of commercial use, the ZenaDrone IQ Aqua’s design is suited for autonomous inspection of offshore energy pipelines, subsea cables, and maritime infrastructure, reducing reliance on costly diver deployments and manned vessel operations. Gulf Cooperation Council nations — including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar — represent a priority future commercial market given their extensive offshore hydrocarbon assets, major port facilities, and coastline protection requirements.
The global underwater drone market is projected to reach over $16 billion by 2034 according to Global Market Insights, with the defense and security segment representing the fastest-growing application category. ZenaTech is targeting future U.S. defense customers, NATO partners, and Gulf Cooperation Council nations as IQ Aqua program advances. The Company will provide updates on future development milestones as they are achieved.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical applications for business, government and defense. Since 2017, the Company has leveraged its software development expertise and grown its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone, to innovate and improve customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive speed, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing its DaaS business and global network of locations through acquisitions.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous drone solutions that can incorporate machine learning software, AI, predictive modeling, Quantum Computing, and other software and hardware innovations. Created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector, its specialization has grown to multifunctional drone solutions for surveying, inspection, tracking, process automation, and defense applications.
Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouse and logistics sectors, the IQ Square is an outdoor drone designed for power washing and inspections use in commercial and government sectors, and the IQ Quad is for land surveys.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square and IQ Nano; ZenaTech's ability to develop products for markets as currently contemplated; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech and other related risks ???and uncertainties disclosed under the ?heading “Risk Factors“ ????in the Company’s Form F-1, Form 20-F and other filings filed ???with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ???no obligation to update forward-?looking ????information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-???looking information represents ?????managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ???No forward-looking ????statement ?can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ???Accordingly, readers ????are advised not to ?place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ???information.?
FAQ**
How do ZenaTech Inc. ZENA's autonomous underwater capabilities, particularly with the IQ Aqua, position the company in the rapidly growing underwater drone market projected to exceed $billion by 2034?
What strategic partnerships or collaborations is ZenaTech Inc. ZENA seeking to enhance its defense capabilities, particularly for the IQ Aqua's applications in mine detection and ISR in contested environments?
Given the significant commercial demand for underwater inspection solutions, how does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA plan to address the needs of Gulf Cooperation Council nations specifically for their offshore energy and security requirements?
What advancements can investors expect from ZenaTech Inc. ZENA regarding the transition of the IQ Aqua prototype to a fully autonomous, tether-free system, and how will this impact market adoption and defense contracts?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA).
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