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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

USM and SeaTrac partner to test uncrewed marine vehicle in offshore hypoxia mapping

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Utilizing autonomous uncrewed vehicles and creating a sustainable US Gulf Coast continues to be one of the main goals for the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) and its partnership with SeaTrac Systems.

Together, they embarked on a 14-day mission to analyze potential hypoxia levels in the Gulf and its effect on the future of marine life.

Also known as dead zones, hypoxia zones are areas in which oxygen levels in water are decreased due to nutrient pollution caused by runoff rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. [Read more…] about USM and SeaTrac partner to test uncrewed marine vehicle in offshore hypoxia mapping

Sea Machines closes new investment round of $12 million

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Cleantech venture capital pioneer Emerald Technology Ventures has invested into Sea Machines, a developer of autonomous control systems and advanced perception technology for maritime vessels.

This $12 million funding round, which was joined by Nabtesco Technology Ventures (NTV), Chevron Technology Ventures, Ingram Industries, RKKVC, Level 2 Ventures, and IMC Ventures, will help Sea Machines hone its technological edge and grow its market presence. This adds to a financing in 2023 led by the Geekdom Fund.

Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics is a global leader in autonomous piloting systems meant to help sea vessels navigate and operate with greater efficiency, productivity, and capability. [Read more…] about Sea Machines closes new investment round of $12 million

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

Lomar and Alicia Bots partner to develop robotic system for cleaning ship hulls

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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

Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

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Fugro has completed its first fully remote offshore survey inspection in the European North Sea for energy company TAQA using one of its Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessels (USV) with Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV).

The complex project, in Europe’s busiest part of the North Sea, involved the inspection of two platforms and over 40 kilometres of pipeline off the coast of the Netherlands.

The inspection investigated the mobility of the seabed, pipeline depth measurements, visual inspections and cathodic protection measurements within the 500-metre zone to ensure the integrity of TAQA’s assets. [Read more…] about Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

Medical Microinstruments introduces even smaller robotic instruments for complex ‘supermicrosurgery’

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Medical Microinstruments, a robotics company developing devices for microsurgery, has launched its new Supermicro NanoWrist instruments for use with the Symani Surgical System, developed specifically to address the challenges of microsurgery.

The new supermicro needle holder and dilator were recently used in clinical procedures in Zürich, Florence, and Salzburg, with successful patient outcomes.

Simon Enzinger, MD, DDS, surgeon at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University Hospital Salzburg, used the new instruments on a procedure called a partial glossectomy, where he raised a lateral arm free flap to replace a large section of a patient’s tongue which required removal due to cancer. [Read more…] about Medical Microinstruments introduces even smaller robotic instruments for complex ‘supermicrosurgery’

Fugro expands its autonomous vessel fleet for geophysical surveys

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Fugro has signed a contract with Kooiman Engineering and Van Oossanen Naval Architects for the naval design of Blue Prism, Fugro’s next generation of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

Specifically engineered for operations in both coastal and offshore environments, the Blue Prism will combine an ultra-low carbon footprint with high quality data collection, weather resilience and endurance characteristics.

Available to clients in 2023, Fugro’s Blue Prism will acquire bathymetry and sub-bottom data of the highest accuracy using hull mounted sensors, whilst also having the ability to tow multiple geophysical sensors. [Read more…] about Fugro expands its autonomous vessel fleet for geophysical surveys

Volarious demonstrates drone that can accompany boats

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Volarious has demonstrated a new tethered drone system that enables the DJI Mavic 2 drone to autonomously take off, follow, and land safely on small vessels.

Firefighters and police drone team has been using the V-Line tethered system for the Mavic 2 drone in a variety of situation on land. The Volarious product is called the V-Line boat mode.

It can also be used in coastline surveillance, search and rescue operations. A drone can take off, follow, and land on small vessels autonomously while providing a real-time elevated view of high resolution thermal and RGB images and video streams at the comfort of the cabin. [Read more…] about Volarious demonstrates drone that can accompany boats

Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage

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Sea Machines Robotics​​​​, a developer of autonomous command and control systems for the maritime industry, has completed what is believed to be the world’s first 1,000+ nautical miles autonomous and remotely commanded journey of a commercial vessel at sea.

Under the project name The Machine Odyssey, the autonomous tug Nellie Bly completed its journey in just 129 operational hours over 13 days.

The program was commanded by US Coast Guard-licensed mariners remotely stationed 3,000 miles away in Boston, many of whom are also members of the American Maritime Officers union. [Read more…] about Sea Machines completes ‘world’s first’ 1,000 nautical mile autonomous voyage