U. of Plymouth, Sonardyne Collaborate on Marine MonitoringTech
Pictured (L-R) Tom Rooney, Technical Sales Manager – Defence, from Sonardyne, Steve Rice, Marine-i Project Manager, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (Faculty of Science and Engineering), Dr Alex Nimmo Smith, Associate Professor in Marine Physics, School of Biological and Marine Sciences (Faculty of Science and Engineering), and Kevin Forshaw, Director of Industrial and Strategic Partnerships, Faculty of Science and Engineering, from the University of Plymouth, Geraint West, Head
The University of Plymouth and Sonardyne have agreed a strategic partnership to drive innovation within the UK’s growing marine robotic and autonomous systems sector.
The partnership will advance ocean data gathering technologies and platforms by leveraging the University’s academic resources and research facilities, Sonardyne’s leading acoustic and inertial navigation technologies, and the marine proving area Smart Sound Plymouth.
Under the new agreement, the partners will work together to evaluate and develop emerging technologies on the university’s fleet of crewed and uncrewed surface and underwater platforms, all underpinned by a suite of Sonardyne’s technologies. This will include testing and evaluation onboard uncrewed systems loaned to the University by the Royal Navy, to support its research and development around maritime autonomous systems capabilities.
The partnership will help establish closer working relationships between the University and Sonardyne, including enabling undergraduate and postgraduate students to participate in the testing of cutting-edge equipment, as well as highlighting future career opportunities.
The initial three-year collaboration will also explore funding opportunities for joint research in areas of mutual interest, including ocean exploration, hydrography, ropeless fishing, offshore renewable energy and defense.
February 2024
