One-on-One with Martin McDonald, SVP, ROV Division, Oceaneering
been working on automated operations, such as auto docking, where the ROV pilot can direct the ROV to move autonomously to a docking point by moving a cursor on the screen, without any intervention on the joystick. It is the machine vision recognition software tied into the control and inertial navigation systems that allows it to perform those tasks consistently. This is still an emerging technology, and it takes a little time to dock autonomously. The reality today is that a really good pilot could do it quicker, but not necessarily consistently and repeatedly. The technology is evolving, but I expect
iXblue Expanding in Australia
Navigation, positioning and imaging firm iXblue said it is expanding its local capabilities in Australia. In 2019, it will focus on developing the company’s local expertise in Inertial Navigation Systems for both defense and civil markets.“We have been present in Australia for over 10 years with a dedicated Brisbane-based team of highly qualified engineers, hydrographers, geophysicists, program managers and equipment sales staff,” said Fabien Napolitano, CEO of iXblue. “Australia being a key market for iXblue, it was only natural for us to expand our capabilities in the region.
DGA Taps iXblue for AUV Positioning & Monitoring
system, the Gaps system is equipped with a pre-calibrated USBL (Ultra Short Base Line) antenna and offers very high-precision geo-referenced positioning performance, particularly in shallow waters and in noisy environments. Its telemetry function also allows for the recalibration of the inertial navigation systems (INS) on board the underwater vehicle thanks to an acoustic communication link, as well as for the command and control of the AUV. The broad opening of its 3D antenna, up to as much as 200 degrees, also gives it unrivaled capacity in terms of horizontal tracking, enabling the system to cover
Mapping the Future
system architecture of autonomy for planning, analysis and execution is similar for AUVs and USVs but there are differences in sensors and functions because of the environment. Lack of GPS and radio communication are fundamental constraints to AUVs that are solved by acoustics and aided inertial navigation systems.USVs need advanced scene analysis and route planning to navigate safely in areas with maritime activity. There are significant thresholds to sufficient functionality and robustness of the individual systems. The most critical phases of the combined USV-AUV operation are launch and recovery
Autonomous Vehicle Maps the Arctic Seafloor
software operated aboard the vessel is a combination of open-source robotic operating systems and software developed by engineers Roland Arsenault and Val Schmidt at the center to tailor BEN’s behaviors for hydrographic seafloor survey. BEN is outfitted with state-of-the-art sonar and navigation systems to meet the seafloor survey requirements for nautical charting and safety of navigation. The navigation system provides exact positioning and attitude while BEN plows the ocean’s surface, while the sonar paints a swath of measurements below and to the sides of the vessel.On Saturday,
ION, Greensea Ink Joint Marketing Agreement
operators under a new joint marketing agreement.The partnership will aim to accelerate the adoption of ION’s technologies into larger, less cyclic adjacent markets offshore and in the military while providing Greensea with options to integrate ION sensor technology into a growing number of navigation systems. Greensea and ION have already collaborated to integrate ION’s optical magnetic heading sensor into Greensea’s INSpect navigation system to dramatically improve subsea vehicle navigation accuracy in remote GPS-deprived environments.“I am really pleased with how quickly we
Interview: David Millar, Fugro
, so that all are contributing crowd sourced bathymetry data to Seabed 2030 as they transit between projects. The same service can be modified and offered to cruise lines and maritime shipping companies, who obviously operate vessels that are already equipped with satellite communications and navigation systems.Fugro survey vessel Kobi Ruegg (Photo: Fugro)With the demand for geophysical data perhaps blunted by the offshore energy downturn, discuss where, today, you see opportunities for your products and services.There is no doubt that the offshore energy downturn has been hard on Fugro and other
University of Limerick Buys ROV for Renewables Research
Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD.The Comanche ROV was selected due to its high thrust-to-drag ratio enabling it to operate in strong currents, typical conditions for the offshore renewables industry. The ROV is equipped to a high specification with precision positioning and navigation systems, camera and lighting systems and sonars. The systems will be used as a test bed for research to develop capabilities for inspection, maintenance and repair work on Marine Renewable Energy (MRE) infrastructure in the challenging strong wave and current conditions at MRE test-sites and offshore
US Navy Submarines Surface in the Arctic Circle
ocean environments on earth," said Rear Admiral James Pitts, commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC). ICEX provides the U.S. Submarine Force and partners from the Royal Navy an opportunity to test combat and weapons systems, sonar systems, communications and navigation systems in a challenging operational environment. The unique acoustic undersea environment is further compounded by the presence of a contoured, reflective ice canopy when submerged. According to Pitts, operating in the Arctic ice alters methods and practices by which submarines operate, communicat
Meet the Future of Visualization and Mapping Sonars
subsea projects and operations across the globe including in oil and gas applications, breakwater construction, asset placements and landings, port and harbor security, defense, mining and diving applications Our real-time 3D and geophysical product ranges are complemented by GNSS aided inertial navigation systems. The F180 series has a proven track record in the marine survey industry for accuracy and reliability and is a preferred asset found on survey vessels across the world. Our existing third generation of real-time 3D sonar products includes the standard Echoscope, the Echoscope and Echoscope
PicSea: A New Concept for Ocean Autonomy
installed in a location or take advantage of ocean currents and solar recharging to operate perpetually. “I’ve spent the last year making sure that the technology that was needed to make this happen is possible. I’ve developed the propulsion, communications, and navigation systems and we are working with customers to understand the kind of data that they want. We’ve had a great response from all different sectors, and we expect to have something in the water by June 2018,” explains Durrant. The Time for Ocean Start-Ups The recent surge in underwater robotics
Oceanology International '18: Conference Schedule Finalized
the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, will confront the myriad technological and practical issues surrounding the development, installation and maintenance of the offshore renewable infrastructure. Meanwhile, Navigation & Positioning, chaired by Xavier Montazel, Vice President, Director of Navigation Systems Business Unit at iXblue, and Walter Jardine, Upstream Survey & Positioning Authority, BP, will report upon the newest findings in this realm. Rear Admiral Shepard Smith, Director, Office of Coast Survey, NOAA observes: “I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak alongside such
Hydrographic Survey Vessel Converted for Autonomous Ops
system. ASView enables the launch to follow planned missions giving it the capability to operate as a standalone survey launch controlled from the shore or as a force multiplier controlled from another vessel. ASView interfaces with the launch’s existing engine, steering and navigation systems to enable autonomous operation. The launch is connected to a remote station via a suite of IP radios enabling real-time monitoring of the survey acquisition data and vessel parameters. The launch is equipped with a collision avoidance system using radar and AIS to ensure its safe operation
Klein Hires Dentzman as Sales Manager
with sonar manufacturers. He has more than 20 years of surveying experience and his background includes work in numerous offshore research diving, acoustic subsea mapping and maritime security programs. Throughout his career, Dentzman has developed markets for a variety of underwater mapping and navigation systems. He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the SS American Memorial and he is affiliated and actively involved with the Navy Submarine League, U.S. Submarine Veterans, U.S. Hydrographic Society, Navy League, U.S. Naval Institute, American Association of Port Authorities and the
Hull Cleaning Robot Deployed in Rotterdam
operational flexibility for the shipping company.” The underwater visibility was extremely poor during the operation. However, due to the unique positioning system and imaging systems, it was still possible to perform an accurate cleaning of the hull. Fleet Cleaner uses innovative navigation systems in order to ensure a high quality hull cleaning, even in such conditions. With the cleaning of the Vlieborg, and recently also the hull cleaning of the Marcor bulk vessel in Rotterdam, Fleet Cleaner has introduced itself in Dutch ports as the new standard for in water cleaning
SBG Systems Debuts New Post-processing Software
at the Ocean Business show in Southampton, U.K. After the survey, this full-feature software gives access to offline RTK corrections, and process inertial and GNSS raw data to further enhance accuracy and secure the survey. For more than 10 years, SBG Systems has been designing inertial navigation systems from the internal Inertial Measurement Unit to the filtering with GNSS data. Expert in real-time data fusion, the company takes another step in the surveying industry by unveiling Qinertia, a fully in-house Post-Processing Kinematic (PPK) software. Whether the survey is made from a car, a UAV
Greensea: Redefining the Connection between Man and Machine
system; we are not building a mission planning system. We’re building a ‘get me where I want to go’ system.” Kinnaman said the engineering challenge is the relationship – how the operator is to use the tools that are behind the scenes – the inertial navigation systems, the autopilots, the mission planning systems and the sonar interfaces. The interface that delivers the operator’s requirements is really the hard part, and that’s the relationship. For the DPD Greensea has a number of deliverables according to Kinnaman. “STIDD builds
