Remotely Operated Vehicles: Thinking out of the Box
Europe, it launched its Quantum EV ROV. While the Quantum EV ROV made the headlines, what SMD launched was a technology suite, rather than a single ROV, based on an open-electric framework for whatever shape vehicle is required and that can be adapted for a variety of tethered or untethered operations.Mark Collins, SMD’s Director for Remote and Autonomous Technologies, says four years’ work has gone into the design, which will be available as a product this year [2020] – but will also to be used as a harness for other form factor systems, such as AUVs because of its modularity.Key was
SMD Introduces New Work Class ROV
, battery compatibility for tetherless operations and is built to accept AI command technology.SMD has been subjecting the newly developed technologies and the new vehicle to a thorough testing program that will continue over the coming months. First deliveries are expected to begin in 9-12 months.Mark Collins, SMD’s Director for Remote and Autonomous Technologies has been involved throughout the development process “We have been listening to what our customers and the industry want and using our extensive real world, and sometimes painful experience, we’ve developed a new product
SMD to Supply Work Class ROV to China
SMD’s lightest work class ROV suitable for offshore power applications, survey and light construction duties, and can be mobilized on vessels with limited deck space. For this contract, SMD will integrate a TSS350 cable tracking system and other survey tools to perform cable inspection. Mark Collins, SMD business development director, said, “Our Atom system has a proven track record working in challenging operational environments, varying from shallow waters and high currents to scorching temperatures, all of which can cause significant problems for standard work class ROVs. For this
SMD Delivers Atom Mk1 ROV Systems to JFD
the selection process as the entire system must be air transportable for rapid response. During factory acceptance, SMD was able to demonstrate Atom’s thrust capability to JFD representatives at its facility in North Shields, Newcastle, using its 64-cubic-meter in-house test tank. Mark Collins, SMD managing director for ROV systems, explained, “This has been a significant project for SMD which has seen us deliver two submarine rescue specification Atom ROV systems to a high-profile client in the defense sector. Significantly it shows that SMD can provide optimized work class ROV
SMD Improves 2013 Work Class ROV Range
ROV systems per year. SMD also has offices in Houston, Singapore and Macau. SMD introduced the original Q-Series range of Work Class ROVs in 2005. The range consisted of three vehicles - Quantum construction class, Quasar general purpose class and Quasar Compact lightweight work class. Through market trends and customer feedback, SMD undertook its first range refresh in 2009. The refresh retained three vehicle models - to give customers choice and flexibility when building fleets - and updates focused on key attributes SMD felt were of absolute importance to clients; •
February 2026
