Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

underwater

Oceaneering to perform first deepwater survey in Mexico using autonomous underwater vehicle

by

Oceaneering International, Inc. has secured a contract to perform the first-ever deepwater (1,000-3,000 m) Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) survey in Mexican waters.

The geophysical survey will take place at the BHP-operated Trion block. Oceaneering will use the DP-2 Ocean Investigator, equipped with the OS-VI AUV and light geotechnical capabilities.

Work is currently under way and will continue for approximately 45 days. Oceaneering will also provide light geotechnical services by acquiring 6 m piston core soil samples.

Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

by

Houston Mechatronics (HMI) unveiled Aquanaut at the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, one year after the announcement of the platform concept.

Aquanaut is a revolutionary multi-mode transforming all-electric undersea vehicle. The vehicle is capable of efficient long-distance transit and data collection in ‘AUV’ (autonomous underwater vehicle) mode.

After transforming into ‘ROV’ (remotely operated vehicle) mode the head of the vehicle pitches up, the hull separates, and two arms are activated so that Aquanaut may manipulate its environment.

[Read more…] about Houston Mechatronics unveils underwater transforming robot ‘Aquanaut’

Earth-digging robot could make laying underground cables much easier and cheaper

by

A robot developed by the MIT university could help bring down the enormous costs of laying underground and undersea cables. 

The machine is being called RoboClam – because it was based on how clams behave – is a relatively small device and it’s been called “the Ferrari of underwater diggers” because it’s particularly good at digging through soft, watery soil, or sand.

It was developed by MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, along with Bluefin Robotics, and the team was led by Anete Hosoi.  [Read more…] about Earth-digging robot could make laying underground cables much easier and cheaper

US Navy orders five ship inspection robots from Bluefin

by

Bluefin Robotics’ EOD HULS MK19 System
Bluefin Robotics’ ship inspection system

The US Navy has awarded five delivery orders to Bluefin Robotics for vehicles that will increase the Navy’s capability to remotely inspect ship hulls.

The robots can also search and investigate harbor sea floors, and other underwater infrastructure for limpet mines, Improvised Explosive Devices and other objects of interest.

The delivery orders, valued at $5 million, are to be used in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Hull Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Localization System (EOD HULS) Program of Record.  [Read more…] about US Navy orders five ship inspection robots from Bluefin