Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Marine

Orca AI secures $72.5 million investment to scale autonomous shipping solutions

by

Orca AI, a developer of maritime technology, has closed an investment of $72.5 million in Series B funding.

Brighton Park Capital led the round with participation from existing investors Ankona Capital and Hyperlink Ventures.

The investment will enable Orca AI to further its autonomous platform, add new capabilities and enter new categories, including defense and security. The funding will also strengthen the company’s position as the market leader in autonomous shipping. [Read more…] about Orca AI secures $72.5 million investment to scale autonomous shipping solutions

SeaTrac equips unmanned vessel with mammal monitoring technology

by

A landmark project supported by the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) “Real-Time Marine Mammal Monitoring Service via Uncrewed Surface Vehicle” program has successfully demonstrated a novel and effective method for real-time marine mammal monitoring.

In a collaborative effort, JASCO Applied Sciences and SeaTrac Systems deployed an advanced Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) system aboard SeaTrac’s SP-48 Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV).

Equipped with JASCO’s acoustic technology, a collapsible directional array and heave-compensating winch, the system successfully detected several endangered North Atlantic Right Whales during trials conducted off the coasts of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. [Read more…] about SeaTrac equips unmanned vessel with mammal monitoring technology

Beatbot launches sustainability initiative in partnership with Oceana

by

In recognition of Earth Day, robotic pool cleaner manufacturer Beatbot has partnered with international ocean conservation group Oceana to support marine preservation and environmental awareness.

As part of the collaboration, Beatbot is launching a new initiative – Beatbot For Future – focused on sustainability, education, and community outreach. [Read more…] about Beatbot launches sustainability initiative in partnership with Oceana

Pershing unveils new yacht made with robotic additive manufacturing technology

by

Pershing has unveiled a new yacht which it says was made using robotic additive manufacturing technology.

Pershing, a brand of the Ferretti Group, the new yacht – the GTX116 – leverages LFAM (Large Format Additive Manufacturing) technology for some of its main superstructures: air grilles and visor above the windshield are additively produced with the Heron AM system to achieve aesthetically interesting geometries with reduced weight and delivering groundbreaking innovation in the manufacturing process of this vessel.

In the luxury yachting industry, innovation in materials and manufacturing processes is critical to ensure high performance, exclusive design and reliability. [Read more…] about Pershing unveils new yacht made with robotic additive manufacturing technology

Xocean secures €115 million investment to accelerate growth of its ocean data services platform

by

Xocean, a provider of ocean data to the offshore energy and civil hydrography sectors, has closed a €115 million fundraise that will help support its ongoing growth across the company’s expanding global footprint.

The company partnered with S2G Ventures to structure the round, which was funded by S2G, Climate Investment, Morgan Stanley’s 1GT fund, and an affiliate of the Crown Family’s CC Industries, collectively referred to as “the investor consortium”.

This financing will support Xocean in accelerating the growth of its platform servicing the offshore energy and civil hydrography sectors. It will also help enable the company’s geographic expansion and product innovation efforts to meet the rapidly growing demand for high-quality data solutions across the blue economy. [Read more…] about Xocean secures €115 million investment to accelerate growth of its ocean data services platform

SMD partners with Beam to ‘mobilise’ autonomous underwater vehicles

by

SMD, an underwater technology and services company, and Beam, a deep technology company, are partnering to “mobilise” autonomous vehicles in harsh offshore environments using Beam’s Pathfinder software.

Having purchased SMD’s market-leading Quantum EV, Beam plans to mount its innovative subsea perception system, SubSLAM – running their Pathfinder software – to the vehicle, enabling AI-driven autonomous piloting in deeper, harsher waters.

By combining SubSLAM’s localisation, AI and mapping technology with Quantum EV’s exceptional high-current performance, vital progress will be made towards improving the efficiency of offshore wind farm maintenance. [Read more…] about SMD partners with Beam to ‘mobilise’ autonomous underwater vehicles

Fugro pioneers uncrewed subsea inspections in Brazil for Petrobras

by

Petrobras, a Brazilian multinational petroleum industry giant, has signed a 175-day addendum to Fugro’s current inspection, repair and maintenance services contract, performed by the Fugro Aquarius, to include fully remote subsea inspection surveys of shallow-water infrastructure in Brazil.

Work will begin in January, leveraging Fugro’s advanced Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessel (USV) and Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV) technology to enhance inspection safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

The contract marks Fugro’s first use of these innovations in the Americas, following successful applications in Australia, the UK, and the Middle East. [Read more…] about Fugro pioneers uncrewed subsea inspections in Brazil for Petrobras

Virginia Tech innovates underwater robotics with support from the Office of Naval Research

by

It’s been said that we know more about the surface of the moon than the floor of Earth’s oceans. For more than two decades, Virginia Tech’s Center for Marine Autonomy and Robotics has been developing robots that can find what lies beneath the sea surface with the support of the Office of Naval Research.

Bringing together faculty and students from the College of Engineering and the Virginia Tech National Security Institute, the center is developing advanced underwater robots and autonomy algorithms that enable them to operate intelligently without human oversight.

The research team recently was awarded two grants totaling more than $5 million to continue that mission. Two additional grant proposals, totaling about $2.4 million, have been selected by the agency and awards are in process. [Read more…] about Virginia Tech innovates underwater robotics with support from the Office of Naval Research

Beam unveils new underwater robot for wind farm operations

by

Beam, a provider of high-technology offshore wind services, has launched a new autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) driven by artificial intelligence (AI).

Scout, a concept expected to enter the market in 2025, will put the power of subsea inspection directly in the hands of wind farm operators.

The company says this is “an important step” in Beam’s journey to develop cutting-edge underwater technologies that transform the viability and scalability of offshore wind. [Read more…] about Beam unveils new underwater robot for wind farm operations

QYSEA Technology launches new underwater drone

by

QYSEA Technology has launched the next generation of its compact remote operated vessel, or ROV, the FIFISH E-Master, tailored for marine professionals.

Equipped with advanced sensors and sonar systems, the E-Master enhances operational efficiency and reliability for marine professionals in key industries including civil infrastructure, maritime shipping, offshore energy, underwater surveillance, and subsea explorations.

QY-MT is QYSEA’s AI-powered underwater measurement system, enabling real-time analysis of underwater objects, fractures, and damage with high accuracy and multiple measurement methods. [Read more…] about QYSEA Technology launches new underwater drone