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Marine

Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

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Fugro and Petrobras have achieved a major milestone in Brazil’s offshore energy sector by successfully completing the country’s first-ever remote subsea inspection survey.

This technology trial was carried out by Fugro in collaboration with Petrobras under an existing multiyear contract with the aim of minimising risk and improving sustainability during inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) projects.

Fugro utilised a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) deployed from the Fugro Aquarius to conduct the survey. Office-based personnel piloted the ROV from an operations centre in Aberdeen, Scotland, instead of from the vessel itself. [Read more…] about Fugro and Petrobras pioneer remote subsea inspection in Brazil

4Ocean robot cleans up Florida beach as part of startup’s mission to clean up the world’s oceans

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A robot built by 4Ocean is cleaning up Florida beach as part of the startup company’s mission to clean up the entire world’s oceans.

An ambitious mission for sure, and one for which the company admits “there is no playbook”, but 4Ocean has already collected 28 million pounds of trash from the plastic-polluted salty waters of the world and its program is just getting started.

The robot 4Ocean has supplied to Florida beach is called the BeBot, which collects things like cigarette butts, pieces of plastic and other trash, according to a report on the Fox Weather website. [Read more…] about 4Ocean robot cleans up Florida beach as part of startup’s mission to clean up the world’s oceans

Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

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Fugro has completed its first fully remote offshore survey inspection in the European North Sea for energy company TAQA using one of its Blue Essence uncrewed surface vessels (USV) with Blue Volta electric remotely operated vehicle (eROV).

The complex project, in Europe’s busiest part of the North Sea, involved the inspection of two platforms and over 40 kilometres of pipeline off the coast of the Netherlands.

The inspection investigated the mobility of the seabed, pipeline depth measurements, visual inspections and cathodic protection measurements within the 500-metre zone to ensure the integrity of TAQA’s assets. [Read more…] about Fugro provides uncrewed surface vessel to TAQA

Nauticus Robotics expands into Europe with operating bases in Norway and the UK

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Nauticus Robotics, a Houston-based developer of ocean robots, autonomy software, and services to the marine industries, has launched operations in Norway and the United Kingdom, beginning the company’s international expansion strategy for 2023 and beyond.

The operating bases are strategically located in Stavanger, Norway and Aberdeen, Scotland to service the North Sea offshore market.

The company will deploy assets and collaborate with local partners to service the region’s extensive offshore wind and oil and gas assets with its expanding Nauticus Fleet, a robotic navy of surface and subsea robots. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics expands into Europe with operating bases in Norway and the UK

Sea Machines Robotics to introduce computer vision to US Coast Guard critical missions

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Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of pioneering maritime autonomy and perception systems, has installed its new AI-ris computer vision product onboard a United States Coast Guard (USCG) 270’ Famous-class Medium Endurance Cutter ahead of the vessel’s upcoming deployment.

AI-ris uses artificial intelligence to identify and track visual targets of interest.

This installation was made possible under an ongoing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between Sea Machines Robotics and the USCG Research and Development Center in an effort to evaluate how computer vision systems can be utilized for autonomous navigation, collision avoidance, and target detection. [Read more…] about Sea Machines Robotics to introduce computer vision to US Coast Guard critical missions

Nauticus Robotics presents at United Nations’ sustainability event

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Nauticus Robotics, a developer of ocean robots, autonomy software, and services to the marine industries, today announced that founder and CEO Nicolaus Radford was scheduled to be speaking at an event on December 1, 2022, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

The UN event is called “Energy Transition Industries: Solutions to Achieving SDG’s – How Renewable Energy Can Combat Inflation in Emerging Nations”.

The event will feature presentations from industry-leading companies helping to implement technologies and solutions towards achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals. [Read more…] about Nauticus Robotics presents at United Nations’ sustainability event

Hyundai business unit showcases new autonomous boat navigation technology

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HD Hyundai’s ship autonomous navigation subsidiary, Avikus, participated in the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, the world’s largest boat show, proving its leading capability in autonomous ship technology.

Avikus first introduced “NeuBoat”, the level 2 autonomous navigation solution for recreational boats, at this boat show in Florida, held from October 26 to 30.

NeuBoat is a combination of “neuron” and “boat”, implying Avikus’ AI autonomous navigation solution will play a critical role in self-recognition, decision, and control in various maritime conditions as human nerve cells do. [Read more…] about Hyundai business unit showcases new autonomous boat navigation technology

Sarcos demonstrates robotic technologies for shipyard operations

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Sarcos Technology and Robotics, a developer of highly dexterous exoskeletons and robotic systems that augment humans to enhance productivity and safety, says it has executed field trials demonstrating improved worker safety and productivity for shipyard operations.

Sarcos robotic systems are designed to carry out maintenance, inspection, and repair activities, on and around ships that are underway and pier side, creating safer and more effective shipyard operations and improving the efficiency of sailors and shipyard workers.

In September, the company completed a successful field trial for the US Navy at the Repair Technology Exercise (REPTX) at the Naval Base Ventura County in Port Hueneme, California. [Read more…] about Sarcos demonstrates robotic technologies for shipyard operations

Port of Rotterdam selects Airwayz as partner to develop prototype drone airspace

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Port of Rotterdam Authority (PoR), in the Netherlands, has selected Airwayz as the partner to build the U-Space Airspace prototype for the port industrial complex.

The partnership is set for a period of two years in which the U-Space services will be set up and the Airwayz unmanned traffic management (UTM) system will be configured to the ports’ needs and requirements.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority believes that monitoring the lower airspace and offering UAS traffic services will in future greatly support drone services and allow them to thrive. [Read more…] about Port of Rotterdam selects Airwayz as partner to develop prototype drone airspace

Blue Robotics wins award from Society of Underwater Technology

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The Society for Underwater Technology’s Gwyn Griffiths Award for Underwater Robotics has been won by Rustom (Rusty) Jehangir, founder and CEO of Blue Robotics, an ocean technology company based in Torrance, California.

Neil Bose, chair of SUT’s Underwater Robotics Panel, and vice president (research), Memorial University, Newfoundland and Labrador’s University, says: “The standard of entries for the SUT’s Gwyn Griffiths Award for Underwater Robotics was extremely competitive this year, and the nominees of high calibre, which challenged the judges to select this year’s winner.

“On behalf of the Panel, the judges and SUT, we would like to recognise the talent, innovation, and qualities of all the entrants working in underwater robotics.” [Read more…] about Blue Robotics wins award from Society of Underwater Technology