Blueye: Making An ROV Autonomous
and Gabriele Kasparaviciute and eight master’s students, has now completed their first successful field operation in the Trondheim fjord. The field operation was carried out in collaboration with NTNU’s larger ROV, Minerva, and marks an important technological advancement in autonomous underwater systems. The test demonstrated for the first time that a compact ROV like the Blueye X3 can operate autonomously.The project team has further developed both the underwater drone and the necessary infrastructure required for long-term autonomous underwater operations. This means the drone must be able
Kongsberg Discovery Acquires Sonatech, Expands in the United States
the defense sector. For Kongsberg Discovery, the acquisition of SURF will enable increased market access and growth in the US. Sonatech provides advanced sonar solutions, with expertise in technical design, development and manufacturing. Its products are used in nearly every class of U.S. Navy underwater systems.
NOC and Royal Navy Renew MOU on Underwater Systems
science and technology. The MOU, which includes collaboration with the Defense Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), the Ministry of Defense (MOD)’s science and technology organization, underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and advances in autonomous and robotic underwater systems.With expertise from NOC Innovations, the applied research and commercialization arm of NOC, the agreement will help enhance the UK’s leadership in marine science and technology.A ceremonial signing took place during the Ocean Business conference and exhibition at NOC in Southampton in
Leidos and Nauticus Robotics Forge Strategic Alliance
robotics and software, has entered into a strategic alliance with Leidos to advance subsea autonomy solutions.The alliance builds on a successful prior collaboration between the two organizations and aims to combine the companies' complementary expertise to develop next-generation autonomous underwater systems capable of tackling increasingly complex missions.Nauticus will apply its expertise in commercial subsea vehicle development, including its flagship Aquanaut system, along with its proprietary unmanned vehicle software platform, ToolKITT, to enhance the capabilities of future unmanned underwater
EDGE and Fincantieri Join Forces to Develop Advanced Subsea Defense Systems
EDGE and Fincantieri have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the design, development, and creation of advanced manned and unmanned underwater systems solution capability through their recently launched UAE-based shipbuilding joint venture MAESTRAL.The preliminary agreement will pave the way and boost for developing sophisticated solutions tailored to the unique underwater needs of navies worldwide.The collaboration marks EDGE’s first venture into underwater domain, enabling both organizations to share expertise and leverage extensive technical and production resources
DNV to Publish New Offshore Rules and Standards in July
Classification society DNV said it is set to publish its new set of rules and standards for the offshore industry.The new rules, which cover several segments, including underwater systems and installations, offshore units, diving systems, structural design, and drilling systems, will be published in July and enter into force on January 1, 2025. They have been developed with extensive industry feedback, undergoing an external hearing process before their publication and entry into force.“The offshore sector is one of the most innovative in the world,” said Torgeir Sterri, Director of
MTR100: Subsea Batteries
Subsea batteries are being configured to meet the demands of science and industry. In both cases, the aim remains to boost the endurance of underwater systems.Not that long ago, SubCtech claimed to be building the world’s largest and only Li-ion battery for subsea oil and gas applications - a 1MWh, 22-ton battery storage skid. The stakes are increasing in this upsizing market, with Kraken Robotics recently announcing an order for subsea batteries worth $16 million, adding to its already $120 million order book.The desire for underwater power infrastructure is growing as concepts such as mothership
Cellula Robotics Starts Trials for Its XLUUV
Canadian marine technology company Cellula Robotics announced it has commenced sea trials of its Solus-XR extra large unmanned underwater vehicles (XLUUV), signifying a key step in the company's development of its long range hydrogen fuel cell powered autonomous underwater systems.Building upon the foundation of Cellula's preceding Solus-LR, the Solus-XR XLUUV is the largest UUV ever developed in Canada. Featuring environmental friendly hydrogen fuel cell technology, the vehicle is crafted to attain unparalleled operational ranges, reaching 5,000 kilometers.Through its port-to-port mission
Op/Ed: We Cannot Let the OceanGate Tragedy Put a Pause on Ocean Exploration
. In the case of unmanned exploration, during my tenure with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA), I initiated the 2020 national strategy to map, explore, and characterize the ocean in the U.S. EEZ, the implementation plan for which emphasizes the use of autonomous underwater systems and remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).Ocean exploration is about much more than the purpose of OceanGate’s expedition – adventure tourism. At stake are the immense benefits to national, natural, and economic security of such activity. Consider the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutio
February 2025
