Maritime Robotics unmanned surface vehicles for autonomous ocean monitoring

Many ocean industries and other applications are reliant on precise mapping and monitoring of the seabed, and gathering of data on temperature, meteorological conditions, ocean currents, geological features, fish stocks, and much more.

Traditional surface vessels may, however, have difficulty reaching survey locations. There is also an inherent risk to the safety of onboard personnel, while the cost of maintaining and manning vessels is high. Moreover, these vessels typically run on diesel fuel.

Maritime Robotics has developed a family of USVs. The Otter is a portable, easily deployable USV for bathymetric surveys in sheltered waters such as small lakes, canals, rivers, ponds and harbour areas.

The Otter can be equipped with a variety of customer-defined sensors for seabed and environmental mapping, and can be controlled via Maritime Robotics’ vehicle control station (VCS) or a mobile phone app.

The Mariner is a larger USV with a stable, durable construction designed for harsher weather conditions and offshore waters. The Mariner has a large payload room and can be equipped with a variety of surface and sub-surface sensors. It is controlled via the VCS.

Maritime Robotics’ VCS features electronic charts, engine and navigation information, and has several control modes. The system allows for live monitoring of sensor data quality parameters and visualisation of actual data. Sensor parameters can also be adjusted in the VCS.

Marine Robotics’ USVs can be operated remotely from a ship or from land. Both the Otter and the Mariner can be used for geophysical and hydrographic surveys, environmental assessment and monitoring, aquaculture, defence applications and harbour security.

The unmanned design enables surveys to be carried out more easily, and eliminates risks associated with onboard personnel.

The USVs are also environment-friendly. The Otter is equipped with electric thrusters powered by four powerful, easily interchangeable and hot swappable battery packs. The Mariner, meanwhile, can be delivered with a diesel-electric propulsion system with a water jet and electric thrusters.

Unmanned surface vehicles (USV) are suitable for use in nearly all ocean industries, as well as for defence, maritime security, water quality monitoring, marine research and many other applications.

Estimated at USD 534 million in 2018, the USV market is projected to reach some USD 1 billion by 2023.