Fugro has reached a binding agreement for the acquisition of the remaining shares in Sea-Kit International, a long-standing partner in the development of hi-tech uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for low carbon emission maritime operations and research. [Read more…] about Fugro strengthens position in marine robotics with acquisition of Sea-Kit International
Marine
American Bureau of Shipping issues ‘first ever’ autonomous vessel classification for Saildrone
Saildrone, a specialist in ocean data collection using autonomous vehicles, has received what it says is “the first-ever classification for an autonomous, uncrewed surface vehicle” (USV) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
The Saildrone Voyager, the mid-class vehicle in Saildrone’s rapidly expanding fleet, is the first-ever commercial USV to receive classification. ABS has been setting rigorous standards for safety and excellence as one of the world’s leading classification organizations and is at the forefront of marine and offshore innovation.
Classification is a major milestone for Saildrone, allowing the Voyager to operate in the ports and waters of countries that require vessels to be classed by organizations such as ABS, and demonstrates Saildrone’s commitment to safety, standardization, and reliability in its technology and operations. [Read more…] about American Bureau of Shipping issues ‘first ever’ autonomous vessel classification for Saildrone
Saildrone fleet surpasses 1 million nautical miles and 32,000 days at sea
Saildrone says it has reached “another major milestone”. Its fleet of uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) has surpassed an incredible cumulative distance of 1,000,000 nautical miles during more than 32,000 days at sea, deployed on missions around the globe.
Equivalent to circumnavigating the Earth 48 times and almost 89 years at sea for a single vehicle, this achievement demonstrates the scale of Saildrone’s operations and the tireless efforts of its team to push the boundaries and capabilities of uncrewed systems.
The record was achieved exactly 10 years after the company’s first major milestone, when the very first Saildrone USV sailed from San Francisco to Hawaii in October 2013. The 2,200-nautical mile journey took just 34 days. [Read more…] about Saildrone fleet surpasses 1 million nautical miles and 32,000 days at sea
Lomar and Alicia Bots partner to develop robotic system for cleaning ship hulls
Lomar, a ship-owning and management group, and Alicia Bots, a tech start-up developing robotics and mobility solutions for the maritime, offshore, oil and gas industries, are partnering to develop a robotic system for ship hull maintenance.
The companies say this effort both integrates cutting-edge robotic hull inspection and cleaning solutions into Lomar’s biofouling control practices as well as tests new use cases, marking a “significant leap forward” in the maritime industry’s pursuit of efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Lomar is to implement Alicia Bots’ robotic technology on up to 15 of its vessels. The autonomous hull cleaning technology provides a “viable reduction” in hull fouling, reducing fuel consumption, costs, and carbon emissions, says Lomar. [Read more…] about Lomar and Alicia Bots partner to develop robotic system for cleaning ship hulls
Nauticus Robotics and Leidos execute additional $2.1 million contract extension
Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has been awarded an additional $2.1 million under its current contract with Leidos, a science and technology company.
The additional funding augments the earlier award and this program has received $16.6 million in funding from Leidos since 2022. The technology developed is expected to underpin future, economically material opportunities. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics and Leidos execute additional $2.1 million contract extension
Sailing seas of data: Autonomous Saildrone vessel to study Earth’s oceans, weather and marine life
A startup company called Saildrone says its uncrewed vehicles are helping to study Earth’s weather, marine life, the ocean floor and much more.
The startup’s nautical data collection technology has tracked hurricanes up close in the North Atlantic, discovered a 3,200-foot underwater mountain in the Pacific Ocean and begun to help map the entirety of the world’s ocean floor.
Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, the company develops autonomous uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) that carry a wide range of sensors. [Read more…] about Sailing seas of data: Autonomous Saildrone vessel to study Earth’s oceans, weather and marine life
Nauticus to supply Aquanaut to Petrobras Brazil
Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean industries, has been awarded a contract with Petrobras, one of the world’s largest energy companies, to deploy Aquanaut, the company’s autonomous subsea robot, to support Petrobras’ offshore activities.
Petrobras has ramped up efforts recently in robotics and artificial intelligence and is pioneering their application to the offshore sectors.
Toward that end, this relevant contract was competitively awarded to Nauticus and will utilize Aquanaut in Petrobras’ Deepwater Production Field using supervised autonomy for infield inspection services. [Read more…] about Nauticus to supply Aquanaut to Petrobras Brazil
Advanced Navigation to debut its underwater robot’s docking capability at ICRA
Advanced Navigation, the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technology, will debut the underwater docking capability of its micro autonomous underwater vehicle, Hydrus at ICRA 2023 in London, United Kingdom.
The exclusive preview will see Advanced Navigation bring two revolutionary technologies to the forefront of United Kingdom’s thriving AI and robotics market:
Award-winning micro autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), Hydrus: aimed to revolutionise undersea inspection, detection and classification by making data capture simple and accessible, for research, aquaculture, offshore renewable energy, transportation, surveillance, biotechnology and high-tech services. [Read more…] about Advanced Navigation to debut its underwater robot’s docking capability at ICRA
Nauticus Robotics and Leidos agree $2.7 million contract extension
Nauticus Robotics, a developer of autonomous robots using artificial intelligence for data collection and intervention services for the ocean economies, has been awarded an additional $2.7 million under its current contract with Leidos, science and technology company.
The funded a extension allows continued development of an Aquanaut-derivative in preparation for customer adoption decisions and government opportunities expected later this year.
The state-of-the-art subsea platform, an unmanned underwater vehicle (“UUV”) with advanced artificial intelligence, sensing capabilities, and more can perform a growing number of jobs without hazarding human divers. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics and Leidos agree $2.7 million contract extension
Sarcos and VideoRay partner to offer integrated underwater robotic systems
Sarcos Technology and Robotics, a maker of advanced robotic systems, and VideoRay, a manufacturer of underwater robotic systems, have signed an agreement to offer integrated underwater robotic systems combining VideoRay remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) with the Sarcos Guardian Sea Class robotic system including its power-efficient dexterous arms.
Under the terms of the agreement, Sarcos and VideoRay will each be able to sell an integrated underwater robotic system, as well as their respective individual products, and provide replacement parts and repair services and support.
Kiva Allgood, president and CEO, Sarcos, says: “This collaboration is significant for the industry as it will enable Sarcos and VideoRay customers to easily purchase a pre-integrated system combining VideoRay’s best-in-class remotely operated vehicles with our advanced one- or two-armed Sea Class system. [Read more…] about Sarcos and VideoRay partner to offer integrated underwater robotic systems