EcoCAM - a new 4K camera from ecoSUB Robotics

EcoCAM is a new 4K camera developed by ecoSUB Robotics. It is integrated into the ecoSUBm5-Power+ AUV system. The camera uses a 1.1-inch Sony IMX267 CMOS sensor with a global shutter, which eliminates the rolling shutter effect, resulting in sharper images of moving objects and improved color reproduction. The camera also features a fixed Computar 8mm lens and can output video at 8.85 megapixels (4096 x 2160) at 33 frames per second.

The camera connects to the AUV using a Subsea USBC connector from Blue Logic AS, which is waterproof, corrosion-resistant, and low-power.

Data from the camera is collected by the Jetson Orin Nano single-board computer, which is also included in the system. This allows the EcoCAM to be used in computer vision applications, as the Jetson Orin can also be used for edge computing. For example, it can be used to develop autonomous docking systems.

The EcoCAM module can be used at depths of up to 2,500 meters on ecoSUBm-series AUVs. The camera is mounted in a nose cone that allows it to be oriented forward or downward.

The EcoCAM camera can be complemented by a side-scan sonar, DVL, acoustic modem for underwater communications, and USBL (underwater sound beacon locator).  

Source: ecosub.uk

Saronic raises $55M to develop drones for the US Navy

American company Saronic has raised funding of about $55 million to develop marine drones Corsair and scale the production of Spyglass and Cutlass. These drones are equipped with remotely updateable software and can carry a variety of payloads in environments where there is no communication or GPS. The drones are designed for autonomous navigation and decision-making in real time in the marine environment, as well as for other actions in swarm groups.

Spyglass is equipped with sensors and a compartment for a customizable payload. The drone is designed for reconnaissance and the execution of specific missions. The range of the drone reaches 30 nautical miles, the maximum speed is about 15 knots.

Cutlass is ready to move away from the carrier ship at a distance of up to 300 nautical miles with a maximum speed of up to 20 knots. The drone carries payloads weighing up to 90 kg and can act as a reconnaissance vehicle, a repeater, and even a platform for launching loitering munitions.

The key advantages of the drones are the minimal costs at all stages of the life cycle and the serious potential for scalability. The drones are designed to eliminate the bottlenecks and weaknesses of traditional American shipbuilding.

Source: therobotreport.com; image source: saronic.com

Saildrone: 48 circumnavigations, 89 years at sea

California-based company Saildrone reported a milestone - a fleet of maritime drones has traveled a total of 1 million nautical miles, and the total duration of missions has reached 32,000 days. For comparison, these figures are equivalent to approximately 48 circumnavigations and 89 years at sea per vessel.

While it may seem like just a publicity stunt, Saildrone's electric autonomous boats are actively being used in the interests of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the United States to collect data on climate change and to map the seabed. Saildrone's fleet consists of 136 devices of three types.

Sources: dronedj.com; image source: saildrone.com

Tethys Robotics has developed a new mini-ROV with a Nortek DVL500 Compact DVL sensor

The use of this component, a Doppler velocity sensor, has improved the accuracy of positioning and navigation.

Swiss company Tethis Robotics has launched a small ROV and equipped it with a DVL500 Compact DVL sensor. The company claims that this has allowed the small ROV to achieve good results in terms of autonomous position holding, even in currents that are noticeable to the robot.

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Source: news.cision.com

Square Robots raises $5M to develop inspection robots

American company Square Robots has raised funding of around $5 million to produce underwater robots for inspecting tanks used in the oil and gas complex. The company is expected to expand its mini-fleet to 11 SR-1 units. The company's mission is to exclude people from the most dangerous inspection processes. The robot not only inspects tanks, but also cleans them of sediment, improving the quality of analysis.

Square Robots robots are provided to customers with teams of three specialists. The systems are suitable for inspecting tanks with oil, diesel fuel, jet fuel, ethanol, water, and other liquids.

In the next 5-10 years, the company expects to expand its robot fleet to 100+ units.

Source: therobotreport.com  

Ocean Aero Moves to Gulfport and Prepares to Scale Up Production

Ocean Aero is known for its production of original underwater and surface vehicles, Triton. These electric boats, powered by photovoltaic batteries, can sail under a built-in sail on the surface of a river or sea, and, folding the sail, move underwater in submarine mode.

Photo: Ocean Aero

With such characteristics, Triton is undoubtedly a multi-purpose device - it is used with equal enthusiasm by both the scientific community and the military. The devices can collect various data in both surface and underwater states, be used for covert reconnaissance or for striking.

Photo: Ocean Aero

Now, it seems, the interest in Ocean Aero products has grown precisely from the military. So far, the company has produced 46 of its AUSVs, increasing its staff from 17 to 65 employees. The move from San Diego, California to Gulfport, Mississippi is related to further scaling. The plant in Gulfport allows, if necessary, to increase the staff to 500 people, which would allow the production of up to 600 Triton vehicles per year.

Photo: Ocean Aero

Brief characteristics of the device:

  -  working depths - up to 100m

  -  surface speed: 5+ knots

  -  in semi-submerged state: 2+ knots

  -  weight: 350 kg

  -  length: 4.4 m

  -  from the waterline to the top of the mast - 3 m

  -  from the keel to the waterline - 1.5 m

  -  hull width - 0.8 m

  -  battery power - 4 kWh

  -  solar panel power: 470 W (300 W + effective)

  -  payload (in the hull) - 22.7 kg

  -  payload (wing) - 11.3 kg

  -  autonomous use time on the surface - 14-30 days;

  -  autonomous use time in submerged state: 8+ days (at minimum power)

  -  ability to work in waves up to 3 points

  -  ability to survive in waves up to 5+ points

👉  Youtube 

Source: WDAM ; Ocean Aero 

#AUSV #OceanAero

The Nucleus1000 navigation sensor suite now has full INS

 The Nucleus1000 navigation sensor suite now has full INS (inertial navigation system) capabilities, enabling absolute position outputs. It can be used in small AUVs, ROVs, and USVs for navigation (latitude/longitude or X/Y output).

The Nucleus only needs to be provided with a GPS position to begin navigating using absolute positioning.

Source: oceanroboticsplanet.com

Commercial Licensing Expands Access to Innovative MBARI LRAUV Technology

The MBARI LRAUV is an innovative, field-ready autonomous robot that can be launched from a ship or from shore. It has an ultra-low power transit mode that enables shore-based operations with a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (620 miles). 

The MBARI LRAUV has more than 40,000 hours of sea time and has demonstrated remarkable mission capabilities, from sampling the genetic fingerprints of marine life to monitoring harmful algal blooms to detecting and mapping oil spills.

Under its Autonomous and Undersea Systems Division, Saab will transition the MBARI LRAUV to commercial production offering this product for global sales for the oceanographic research, commercial, and military markets.

The LRAUV is about two meters (6.6 feet) long, 30 centimeters (12 inches) in diameter, and weighs 110 kilograms (242.5 pounds). It is capable of larger, more powerful payloads and can operate in higher currents than oceanographic buoyancy-driven gliders. The LRAUV can be outfitted with a variety of payloads, including microbial sampling, bioluminescence, active bio-acoustic imaging, water sampling, plankton imaging, and multibeam mapping.

Licensing the LRAUV technology to Saab, Inc. for commercial production brings us closer to MBARI's vision for an autonomous future for ocean exploration.  

Source: oceanroboticsplanet.com 

Zelim Teams Up with US Coast Guard to Trial AI in Search & Rescue

The US Coast Guard and Zelim, a Scottish start-up, have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) to trial AI-enabled detection and tracking technology in search and rescue (SAR).

Finding someone in the water is a fundamental challenge for SAR teams. Zelim's ZOE solution uses AI to detect and track people, boats, or target objects in the water in any conditions.

The US Coast Guard is interested in harnessing rapidly advancing technologies, including AI and machine learning, to improve mission execution. The ability to detect, locate, characterize, identify, and track people or objects in the water in near or real-time has the potential to improve mission support.

The overarching objective of the CRADA is to determine methods to evaluate the effectiveness of AI technology with unclassified optical sensors in various environmental conditions.

The trial is a significant step forward in the development of AI-powered SAR technologies. It has the potential to improve the effectiveness of SAR operations and save lives. 

Seabed 2030 and SEABER announce new partnership advancing ocean exploration

Partners will develop and manufacture micro AUVs for ocean research and commercial missions.

The project aims to create a complete and comprehensive map of the world's ocean floor and to include bathymetric data in the freely available GEBCO Ocean Map.

SEABER produces "micro AUVs" that can operate at depths of up to 300 meters for 8-10 hours. YUCO is designed for operations near the continental shelf and can carry a variety of scientific instruments. The drones are characterized by a user-friendly interface and "affordable prices."

Israeli underwater robots win sustainable fishing contest

The University of Haifa has developed a swarm of low-cost underwater robots that can be used to prevent overfishing and harm to marine ecosystems

The robots coordinate with each other to acoustically detect and estimate fish populations. This technology has the potential to help ensure the sustainability of fisheries around the world.

The project was awarded a grant from Schmidt Marine Technology Partners, a program of the Schmidt Family Foundation led by former Google CEO Eric and his wife Wendy Schmidt. The Schmitts awarded a total of $3.5 million in grants to 10 organizations and universities around the world that are working to develop new technologies to protect the ocean.

The University of Haifa's project is one of many examples of how innovative technologies are being used to address the challenges facing the ocean today. By developing new ways to monitor and protect marine ecosystems, we can help ensure a healthy and sustainable future for the ocean.