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SeaTrac equips unmanned vessel with mammal monitoring technology

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A landmark project supported by the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) “Real-Time Marine Mammal Monitoring Service via Uncrewed Surface Vehicle” program has successfully demonstrated a novel and effective method for real-time marine mammal monitoring.

In a collaborative effort, JASCO Applied Sciences and SeaTrac Systems deployed an advanced Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) system aboard SeaTrac’s SP-48 Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV).

Equipped with JASCO’s acoustic technology, a collapsible directional array and heave-compensating winch, the system successfully detected several endangered North Atlantic Right Whales during trials conducted off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. [Read more…] about SeaTrac equips unmanned vessel with mammal monitoring technology

Xocean secures €115 million investment to accelerate growth of its ocean data services platform

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Xocean, a provider of ocean data to the offshore energy and civil hydrography sectors, has closed a €115 million fundraise that will help support its ongoing growth across the company’s expanding global footprint.

The company partnered with S2G Ventures to structure the round, which was funded by S2G, Climate Investment, Morgan Stanley’s 1GT fund, and an affiliate of the Crown Family’s CC Industries, collectively referred to as “the investor consortium”.

This financing will support Xocean in accelerating the growth of its platform servicing the offshore energy and civil hydrography sectors. It will also help enable the company’s geographic expansion and product innovation efforts to meet the rapidly growing demand for high-quality data solutions across the blue economy. [Read more…] about Xocean secures €115 million investment to accelerate growth of its ocean data services platform

Virginia Tech innovates underwater robotics with support from the Office of Naval Research

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It’s been said that we know more about the surface of the moon than the floor of Earth’s oceans. For more than two decades, Virginia Tech’s Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics has been developing robots that can find what lies beneath the sea surface with the support of the Office of Naval Research.

Bringing together faculty and students from the College of Engineering and the Virginia Tech National Security Institute, the center is developing advanced underwater robots and autonomy algorithms that enable them to operate intelligently without human oversight.

The research team recently was awarded two grants totaling more than $5 million to continue that mission. Two additional grant proposals, totaling about $2.4 million, have been selected by the agency and awards are in process. [Read more…] about Virginia Tech innovates underwater robotics with support from the Office of Naval Research

SeaTrac and Sonardyne gather data from the Gulf of Mexico current

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Important oceanographic data from Atlantic Ocean currents in the US Gulf of Mexico has been gathered fully remotely, thanks to Sonardyne technology and an uncrewed surface vehicle (USV) supplied by SeaTrac Systems.

A number of Sonardyne Origin 65 Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and Current Pressure Inverted Echo Sounders (CPIES) are currently on the seabed in the Gulf of Mexico gathering long term data on the Loop Current System (LCS).

Understanding the LCS is important for oceanographers as it has a wide-reaching impact on many areas including the disruption of subsea operations, hurricane intensity and changes to nutrient and food cycles important to marine life. [Read more…] about SeaTrac and Sonardyne gather data from the Gulf of Mexico current

How Plasma Polishing is Revolutionizing the Future of Surface Finishing

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Surface finishing is a crucial process in many industries, from medical to automotive, aimed at improving the functionality and aesthetics of a material’s surface.

Traditional methods like grinding and polishing have their limitations, especially when it comes to treating surfaces with high precision and without deformation.

Plasma polishing, an innovative technique, offers a solution to these challenges, delivering not only more precise results but also being more environmentally friendly. In this article, we explain how plasma polishing is revolutionizing the future of surface finishing.

[Read more…] about How Plasma Polishing is Revolutionizing the Future of Surface Finishing

Augmentus opens robotics centre in Texas

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Augmentus, a developer of AI robotic solutions for surface finishing and welding, is opening its their first “experience centre” in the United States as part of its strategic market expansion plans.

Located in Texas, the centre aims to bolster the company’s presence in one of the nation’s leading regions for metal fabrication and manufacturing.

Founded in 2019, Augmentus has pioneered the transformation of industrial robot programming. [Read more…] about Augmentus opens robotics centre in Texas

Sea Machines Robotics unveils new unmanned ‘workboats’

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Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of marine autonomous technology, has launched “Selkie”, its latest innovation in unmanned surface vessels (USVs).

The company described the launch as “a momentous move that will further the flood tide of autonomous marine operations”.

The first model, Selkie 7, is a 7-meter USV powered by the company’s flagship SM300 Autonomous Command and Control system, Selkie represents a leap forward in autonomous technology and a new era of marine exploration and operations. [Read more…] about Sea Machines Robotics unveils new unmanned ‘workboats’

Korean scientists develop new navigation system for autonomous ships

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Existing ship control systems using Model Predictive Control for Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) do not consider the various forces acting on ships in real sea conditions.

Addressing this gap, in a new study, researchers developed a novel time-optimal control method, that accounts for the real wave loads acting on a ship, enabling effective planning and control of MASS at sea.

The study of ship manoeuvring at sea has long been the central focus of the shipping industry. With the rapid advancements in remote control, communication technologies and artificial intelligence, the concept of Maritime Autonomous Surface Ships (MASS) has emerged as a promising solution for autonomous marine navigation. [Read more…] about Korean scientists develop new navigation system for autonomous ships

Painting Perfection with Electric Paint Sprayers: A Comprehensive Guide for Construction Professionals

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DIYers looking for faster results with less mess can benefit from using an electric paint sprayer, such as the ones offered by SPRAYIT, as these devices offer quick results with little learning curve.

They are affordable, efficient, and simple tо operate, making them perfect for DIY enthusiasts!

When using an electric paint sprayer, hold your gun approximately 12 inches away and spray іn long consistent movements while always moving perpendicular tо the surface being painted; this will help minimize overspray and ensure a smooth, even finish. [Read more…] about Painting Perfection with Electric Paint Sprayers: A Comprehensive Guide for Construction Professionals

Saildrone fleet surpasses 1 million nautical miles and 32,000 days at sea

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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