Robotics & Automation News

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Marine

EDF employs ‘unique’ underwater drone to carry out ‘first ever’ autonomous robotic inspection of wind farm foundations

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EDF has installed a uniquely customised remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to carry out what is believed to be the first autonomous wind farm foundation inspection at its Blyth Offshore Wind Farm.

The ROV, equipped and operated by researchers from the ORCA Hub, a strategic project within the National Robotarium, was modified to include cutting-edge robotic technologies for autonomous inspection capabilities and carried out visual inspections of the gravity-based foundations of three offshore turbines over the course of four days.

The inspections were undertaken as part of a partnership between EDF and the ORCA Hub to investigate a wide range of potential applications for drone technology to assess offshore wind turbines. [Read more…] about EDF employs ‘unique’ underwater drone to carry out ‘first ever’ autonomous robotic inspection of wind farm foundations

DB Schenker to operate zero-emission autonomous ship for Ekornes

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DB Schenker, one of the world’s leading logistics providers, has revealed plans to operate an innovative zero-emission coastal container feeder in Norway. The fully electric vessel has a unique design, making it the first of its kind in the world.

Having just signed a pre-study agreement, DB Schenker and its co-operation partners – the furniture giant Ekornes and the vessel designer Naval Dynamics, along with Kongsberg and Massterly – have taken the first steps in an ambitious joint project to replace the traditional feeder vessels utilized along the stretch of the Norwegian coastline around Ikornnes and Ålesund.

The new autonomous and electric, short-sea container feeder leverages Naval Dynamics’ NDS AutoBarge 250 concept that was developed in partnership with Kongsberg and Massterly. [Read more…] about DB Schenker to operate zero-emission autonomous ship for Ekornes

Ocean Aero partners with KAUST and Shelf Subsea to advance maritime research in Red Sea

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Ocean Aero, a manufacturer and service provider of ocean-going Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicles (AUSVs), has agreed a partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), one of Saudi Arabia’s preeminent centers of academia, research, and development, and Saudi Shelf Subsea, part of the Shelf Subsea Group of companies headquartered in Perth, Australia with extensive operations in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The trilateral partnership will center on novel maritime research in the Red Sea and has several core tenets:

  • applied research on tailored payloads for Saudi-specific applications with a number of the Kingdom’s maritime organizations;
  • exploration of advanced concept development utilizing existing and joint IP; and
  • continued execution of scientific services with a fleet of Ocean Aero’s TRITON AUSVs.

Kevin Decker, CEO of Ocean Aero, says: “We couldn’t be happier to work alongside the oceanographers, researchers, and marine scientists at KAUST. [Read more…] about Ocean Aero partners with KAUST and Shelf Subsea to advance maritime research in Red Sea

Blueprint Lab secures Australian Government contract to develop advanced robotic clearance diver technology

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The Australian government has made a $19 million investment in multiple companies for technology protecting Australian Defence Force members.

As part of this, Blueprint Lab has been awarded $1.04 million to develop remote operation systems for underwater expeditions as part of this investment.

The investment will allow the company to fast-track innovation on its world-first remote intervention manipulator systems. [Read more…] about Blueprint Lab secures Australian Government contract to develop advanced robotic clearance diver technology

Nauticus Robotics launches ‘pioneering’ underwater robot fleet system for offshore industry

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Nauticus Robotics, a Houston-area developer of subsea and surface robotic services using autonomy software, has launched the initial production run of Nauticus Fleet, a robotic navy of 20 Hydronaut-Aquanaut pairs.

These tandem pairs will be deployed in multiple offshore industries serving applications ranging from subsea maintenance and intervention to data collection activities.

These first sets of robots will be delivered in Q4 2022, with the remainder being fulfilled by the end of 2024. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics launches ‘pioneering’ underwater robot fleet system for offshore industry

Marine robotics specialist Vaarst raises $20 million to expand

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Marine robotics specialist Vaarst has closed on the first $20 million of its Series B round led by energy transition investor Legal & General Capital, alongside the venture capital arm of the international energy company Equinor.

Existing shareholder Foresight Group also participated alongside In-Q-Tel, the strategic investor for the US intelligence and defence communities and allied nations.

Vaarst is a leading provider of autonomy and cloud managed robotics; supporting the offshore wind, wave & tidal, scientific, maritime security, and civils industries. [Read more…] about Marine robotics specialist Vaarst raises $20 million to expand

Oceaneering chooses BlueBotics navigation technology 
for new product lines

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Oceaneering International has chosen BlueBotics to provide navigation technology for its line of industrial autonomous mobile robots.

Henny Bouwmeester, vice president and general manager of Oceaneering Mobile Robotics, says: “Our goal is to unlock the full potential of mobile robotics and enable widespread adoption in all industries.

“To achieve this, our technology offering needs to be accessible, easy-to-use, and flexible to accommodate our client’s needs. [Read more…] about Oceaneering chooses BlueBotics navigation technology 
for new product lines

Advanced Navigation launches AI-powered autonomous undersea robot

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Advanced Navigation, a manufacturer of artificial intelligence-based navigation and robotics systems, has launched Hydrus, an autonomous subsea robot that combines “the most advanced navigation, sonar and communication capabilities of any autonomous underwater vessel”.

This advanced technology is combined with a 4K 60 camera in an “incredibly small form factor”.

Advanced Navigation says Hydrus “hugely simplifies” underwater data collection and inspection and overcomes many existing cost barriers. [Read more…] about Advanced Navigation launches AI-powered autonomous undersea robot

Saildrone develops ‘next generation ocean data products’ with Siemens Xcelerator as a Service

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Siemens Digital Industries Software says that Saildrone, a California-based company that designs, manufactures, and operates a fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), has adopted Siemens’ Xcelerator portfolio, including cloud-enabled Xcelerator as a Service solution, enabling it to innovate faster and more collaboratively across the entire organization without the burden of a traditional IT infrastructure. (See video below.)

Saildrone has adopted the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio for product design, engineering and manufacturing, including NX software for 3D product engineering and Teamcenter® X for product lifecycle management (PLM).

The interoperability offered by Siemens Xcelerator enables Saildrone to easily integrate mechanical and electronic design information. In addition to helping manage product engineering complexity, Saildrone has used Teamcenter X to improve data and collaboration between disciplines. [Read more…] about Saildrone develops ‘next generation ocean data products’ with Siemens Xcelerator as a Service

Open Ocean Robotics raises $4 million to develop autonomous boat

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Open Ocean Robotics has completed a $4 million round of seed financing to advance its marine robotics and ocean data analytics platform.

This included a $2.8 million non-dilutive investment from Sustainable Development Technology Canada, an agency of the Canadian government, and $1.2 million from a syndicate of international investors including Rhiza Capital and Cindicates.

This funding enables the company to accelerate the development of its solar powered autonomous uncrewed surface vehicle technology and ocean data analytics platform for maritime monitoring. [Read more…] about Open Ocean Robotics raises $4 million to develop autonomous boat