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#Industry News

Micro-AUV development

Marine science technology specialists Planet Ocean of Camberley in Surrey, UK, has developed a new range of mini Autonomous Underwater Vehicles claimed to be around three times smaller than any other comparable systems. At around 50cm long, their miniature size allows them to be used in ways not previously considered, the company says.

The novel vehicles have been developed by Planet Ocean in association with engineering teams of the National Oceanography Centre’s Marine Robotics Innovation Cenre in Southampton as part of a project funded by Innovate UK aimed at producing a launch and recovery system for multiple AUVs from Unmanned Surface Vehicles. Other partners include ASV of Portchester and the University of Southampton with the second year of the project now being devoted to extensive testing prior to full scale marketing.

With the aim of making AUV technology available to virtually everyone, Planet Ocean has established a spin-off company which will concentrate on further development and manufacture of the low cost innovative devices, ecoSUB Robotics Ltd. Among those already forseeing considerable potential for them, according to the new fledgling company, are oil and gas sector operators. As they see things, affordable logistical advantages include an entire range of activities from rapid response to environmental challenges to subsea inspection operations and asset monitoring and support.

Details

  • Surrey, UK
  • Planet Ocean

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