In October 2023, Advanced Navigation deployed its micro-autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) Hydrus off Rottnest Island, Western Australia. The purpose of the mission was to capture high-quality still imagery and 4K video, for the purposes of benthic inspection and 3D photogrammetry reconstruction.

The retrieved datasets highlight several notable features of Hydrus including the ability to operate in dynamic currents, navigate complex terrain, and produce incredibly high-resolution data deliverables.

Upon location, the vessel recorded a surface current of over 1.5 knots, with substantial wave action and 18 knots of wind. Hydrus was deployed from the vessel and tracked with Advanced Navigation’s acoustic positioning system, Subsonus. Once underwater, the vehicle descended to an operating depth of around 25m, with an altitude of 1m.

Intuitive Mission Planner

To capture high quality still images, with embedded georeferencing, Hydrus had a mission planned to capture images with 80% forward overlap and 60% lateral overlap.  Due to the low altitude and high resolution required, Hydrus flew the mission at a slow speed, shooting video at 4K 30FPS, to reduce motion blur. Once at the mission site, Hydrus was able to run a ‘lawnmower’ pattern as planned.

Capturing Sea Kelp Across Complex Seabed

Classic techniques to capture imagery in  seabeds with swirling, dynamic currents can often prove difficult.  Here, divers typically struggle to maintain constant positioning and remote operated vehicles (ROVs) can suffer from drag due to their tethers.

In contrast, Hydrus is able to utilise its doppler velocity log (DVL) to track its position over the seabed and use its high level of control authority from the unique seven thruster configuration to maintain constant lines – in spite of swirling, dynamic currents. This is evident in the movement of the kelp in the video below.

Maintaining Set Altitude over Difficult Reef Terrain

Although the terrain of the seabed in this specific spot was complex to navigate, Hydrus was able to meet the challenge and maintain a set altitude of 1m for the duration of the mission. To achieve this feat, Hydrus measures the DVL beams and manoeuvres to hold the preset altitude. Similarly, this system doubles as  Hydrus’ obstacle avoidance system, i.e., when objects are acoustically detected in its path, Hydrus will move over the top of them to maintain its set altitude.

In the clip below,  Hydrus performs data capture in the camera-down orientation over a complex reef system.

Precise Image Georeferencing

Following the successful data capture, Hydrus was recovered to the boat, and the data was downloaded using WiFi. Initial data quality control was then performed to assess image quality and georeferencing.

Developing 3D Models of Reconstructed Seabed

The final data processing was performed in Agisoft Metashape, where a 3D mesh was reconstructed using Structure from Motion (SfM) photogrammetry.

The reconstructed seabed, with draped imagery, and underlying bathymetric digital elevation model are shown below.

Hydrus

Hydrus takes the drone revolution underwater with the most advanced sonar, navigation and communications systems of any subsea vehicle. It contains a DVL, USBL, INS, acoustic and optical
modems, all tightly integrated. This enables highly reliable, fully autonomous underwater missions at your fingertips. It also provides obstacle detection and collision avoidance.

The post Hydrus Functionality In The Field: Unveiling The Depths Of Ocean Intelligence appeared first on The Robot Report.

Key Points

• Advanced Navigation’s micro-AUV Hydrus successfully simulated its capability to autonomously scan a seabed to detect objects of interest.
• The exercise showcased how Hydrus can achieve better outcomes than traditional methods while significantly lowering costs, logistics and human risk.
• Highlighting one of Hydrus’ unique differentiators, it operated effectively in tropical waters, which present a host of challenges to underwater robotics.
• The exercise doubled as an opportunity to train Hydrus’ artificial intelligence model to enable high-accuracy localisation and inspection.
• The simulation was carried out in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), utilising their tropical marine test range, ReefWorks.

AIMS is a tropical marine research agency with world class facilities around Australia. Established in 1972, the institute’s primary function is research for sustainable use and protection of the marine environment. It has highly developed capabilities in marine biodiversity; impacts and adaptation to climate change; and, water quality and ecosystem health. As a trusted name in marine science, AIMS’ research programs support the management of tropical marine environments around the world.

Making a splash: An opportunity to showcase Hydrus’ capability at ReefWorks

Advanced Navigation collaborated with AIMS to conduct a simulation at the institute’s tropical marine test range, known as ReefWorks, located near Townsville, a city on the north eastern coast of Australia within proximity to the Great Barrier Reef. The test range, which opened its doors to industry in 2022, is one of the first marine technology test ranges in the world located in tropical waters.

For the exercise, Advanced Navigation’s underwater drone, or micro-autonomous underwater vehicle (micro-AUV), Hydrus, was tasked with autonomously mapping a predefined area of the seabed in search of specific points of interest—which, in this scenario, were hidden objects intended to represent underwater mines.

Wading through troubled waters: Hydrus must prove itself in a minefield of hazards

Numerous challenges accompany a scenario of this nature:

• To begin, exercises of this kind typically entail significant costs and logistical complexities. Enlisting boats and highly trained specialists is not only expensive but also time-consuming. Moreover, deploying and recovering traditional AUVs necessitates the use of large equipment, such as cranes, which consumes valuable time that could otherwise be devoted to data collection.
• Secondly, the operation required Hydrus to function in tropical waters, which are notoriously difficult for autonomous marine systems. Foremost, higher temperatures in tropical waters have the potential to cause robotic systems to overheat. Additionally, complex water flow and bottom topography in these regions can result in higher turbidity, causing water to become clouded with suspended sediment, reducing visibility and potentially causing thrusters to clog and seize operation.
• Lastly, the simulation centered around a scenario where ensuring the safety of personnel was paramount. It focused on a situation in which a customer would deploy a drone to detect potential hazards, such as underwater mines, before advancing their vessel. Furthermore, the exercise introduced an element of unpredictability, as Hydrus had no prior knowledge of the placement of mine-like objects. This mirrored a real-world search in a hazardous and unfamiliar environment.

Turning the tide: Hydrus is well equipped to navigate these common challenges

Fortunately, Hydrus was purpose-built to address these very concerns. Thanks to its compact size and autonomous capabilities, the mission could be executed with cost-efficiency and minimal logistical complexities. To illustrate this, all of the necessary equipment for this exercise could be conveniently transported in just three transit cases, each weighing less than 21 kg. Hydrus itself, weighing a mere 7 kg, can be deployed and recovered by a single individual. This obviates the need for heavy transportation, on-site storage, large vessels, cranes, or a team of specialists.

What truly distinguishes Hydrus is its ability to operate effectively within the challenging tropical waters environment, setting it apart from comparable products in the market. Being developed in Australia provided a local advantage, as Hydrus underwent extensive testing in warm tropical waters during its design phase. Additionally, its thrusters were thoughtfully designed with the challenges of suspended sediment in mind. The drone’s impellers offer a higher level of control authority than any comparable product on the market, rendering them resilient to suspended sediment and complex water flow.

Regarding safety, this simulation presented an opportunity for the Advanced Navigation team to showcase a unique solution aimed at minimising risk to personnel. Typically, USBL and GNSS systems are affixed to crewed boats. However, in this exercise, Advanced Navigation’s Subsonus and GNSS Compass were integrated onto Surfbee, an autonomous uncrewed surface vessel (USV). Leveraging the autonomous capabilities of Surfbee, this setup allowed the crew to maintain a safer distance from the scouting area.

Smooth sailing: The simulation was a resounding success

The end-to-end operation, from deploying to recovering Hydrus, took less than 30 minutes. Hydrus performed flawlessly right out of the box, requiring minimal mobilisation time and experiencing no delays. Coupled with the use of a small vessel, this efficiency allowed the team to swiftly gather the necessary data to complete the mission. In fact, due to the rapid turnaround time, the team ran the simulation two more times with each operation completed in under 30 minutes.

Notably, by repeating the simulation, the team observed that the mine-like objects had shifted positions on the seabed between each operation. This not only highlights the complex currents in tropical waters but also underscores the potential safety risks had the operation been conducted only once, as typically expected with traditional systems.

To locate the objects, Hydrus autonomously followed a predefined search pattern within a set perimeter in the water, in a path akin to mowing a lawn. While executing the search pattern, Hydrus’ camera successfully identified points of interest and captured high-accuracy imagery of the target objects.

As is customary with all simulations involving Hydrus, the data collected during this exercise will be used to train Hydrus’ AI model, enhancing its capability to pinpoint and inspect points of interest on the seabed with even greater precision and detail. Conducting more simulations will continue to enrich Hydrus’ onboard AI, improving its overall capabilities.

Micro AUV, Hydrus Identifies Hazards In Tropical Waters

The successful completion of this simulation at ReefWorks validates Hydrus’ ability to provide a data collection solution that not only minimises logistical effort but also allows for rapid deployment compared to other systems. Moreover, it does not require trained specialists, keeping the overall costs minimal. This enables users to deploy Hydrus quickly, safely and cost-effectively wherever it is needed.

Hydrus

Hydrus takes the drone revolution underwater with the most advanced sonar, navigation and communications systems of any subsea vehicle. It contains a DVL, USBL, INS, acoustic and optical
modems, all tightly integrated. This enables highly reliable, fully autonomous underwater missions at your fingertips. It also provides obstacle detection and collision avoidance.

The post Underwater Drone Hydrus Completes Successful Simulation To Identify Hazards In Tropical Waters appeared first on The Robot Report.

Understanding the Debate

Oil rigs, those formidable structures used for extracting crude oil and natural gas from beneath the ocean floor, face an intriguing dilemma when they reach the end of their productive life. In accordance with international law, governments typically require retired oil rigs be treated as maritime waste and removed. However, there is a growing interest in repurposing them as artificial reefs.

Advocates of this idea, including oil companies and researchers, argue many existing oil rigs have now transformed into thriving artificial reefs, fostering vibrant ecosystems below the sea surface. In addition to enhancing marine biodiversity, they claim these sites help support sustainable fishing, while serving as new fishing and diving sites.

Evaluating the Long-Term Environmental Impact

When it comes to repurposing or removing decommissioned oil rigs, the wider environmental impact must be carefully considered. Regulators face the challenging task of balancing ecological preservation with the commercial responsibilities of the oil industry, and the outcomes of these decisions can be complex. While there is evidence showing the potential of repurposed rigs to create new habitats for marine life, this may have unforeseen consequences in the long term, such as rig corrosion that can harm the surrounding ecosystem. On the other hand, removing these rig sites may disrupt established ecosystems that have been inhabiting around the area.

If a site is approved for repurposing, it is crucial to remove harmful substances before transforming the rig into an artificial reef. Additionally, a regular inspection and maintenance program must be implemented to ensure compliance with environmental regulations continue to be met.

Despite the oil industry’s interests in converting rigs into reefs, there has been a lack of research and understanding about the benefits of this practice, resulting in contentious debates.

Hydrus micro-AUV capturing high-resolution imagery

Environmental Monitoring of Decommissioned Oil Rigs

To effectively address this ongoing discussion, extensive research is required. This includes examining factors such as water quality, marine life populations and the long-term sustainability of the site.

Traditional methods of subsea environmental monitoring, which involve divers collecting water samples and inspecting the rig, have limitations. They are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and too costly to be carried out on a regular basis.

In the pursuit of effective monitoring methods, companies have turned to advanced solutions such as remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and micro-autonomous underwater vehicles (micro-AUVs). These cutting-edge technologies not only provide significant cost savings, but also have the potential to provide more accurate and higher-resolution data.

The Evolution of Marine Monitoring Technology

ROVs are tethered vehicles controlled by crew members from a surface vessel. Equipped with large cameras and sensors, they possess impressive capabilities to collect data on water quality, temperature, marine life and other environmental factors. However, their range is limited by the length of their tether, which determines how far they can travel independently. At the end of each mission, a crew must also reel it back in.

AUVs, resembling miniature submarines (measuring up to 10 m long), can operate independently by following pre-programmed routes. This grants the vehicle freedom to cover large areas and undertake long-duration missions autonomously. However, AUVs are constrained by their need to travel at high speeds, which limits the type of data they can collect. Like ROVs, AUVs are relatively large, require deployment from crewed ships and can cost millions to deploy and operate.

Micro-AUVs, the smaller version of AUVs, excel at accessing areas larger AUVs and ROVs cannot reach. These agile vehicles are ideal for conducting detailed inspections of oil rig structures and reefs. Although micro-AUVs are smaller, they surprisingly offer significant advantages in terms of data collection, versatility and efficiency. They can be launched from various platforms or even be hand-launched from a boat, making them incredibly cost-efficient and user-friendly.

Hand-deployment of a Hydrus micro-AUV.

When it comes to subsea environmental monitoring, it’s important to consider the strengths and limitations of different technologies. Micro-AUVs offer a unique combination of benefits which is pivotal to the success of more regular underwater inspections. They are scalable, require lower capital investment and less deployment and maintenance costs, making it possible to deploy multiple units at a fraction of the price of a single ROV or AUV.

Exploring a Real-World Rig-to-Reef Opportunity

In a fascinating real-world scenario, an oil company has proposed transforming a decommissioned oil rig off the Australian coast into an artificial reef. While the site holds immense potential, cautious environmental regulators have mandated biennial inspections over the next 20 years to carefully evaluate its suitability before approving the site for repurposing.

One major challenge faced during inspections at this site is the presence of strong currents, reaching speeds of up to 4 knots. Additionally, tidal conditions allow for only 2.5 hours of inspection time around the rig.

With these limitations in place, using conventional ROVs or AUVs would only allow for a short 30-minute window to collect data. This accounts for the two hours needed to anchor the boat and map the site, as well as the additional time required to launch and retrieve the vehicle.

To overcome these challenges, the company has chosen Advanced Navigation’s cutting-edge micro-AUV, Hydrus. Weighing only 7kg, this compact and easy-to-use device can be quickly deployed by hand from a boat, eliminating the need for extra personnel and machinery. In comparison to deploying a large ROV or AUV, Hydrus gave inspection teams an extra hour to capture footage, imagery and data. This resulted in substantial savings of both time and resources.

Hydrus autonomously navigating around underwater structures.

The Defining Role of Micro-AUVs

Micro-AUVs offer an optimal solution for the monitoring of decommissioned oil rigs in the subsea environment from logistical, commercial and safety perspectives. These small underwater vehicles not only prevent human divers from being exposed to underwater hazards,  but also provide scalability and efficiency in deployment compared with other types of vehicles. Hydrus, for example, is equipped with advanced AI technology, a high-resolution camera and specialised thrusters, enabling it to navigate through strong currents, access hard-to-reach areas, and capture detailed imagery and video in challenging environments where ROVs and AUVs would face difficulties. The usability and relatively low cost of Hydrus mean inspection teams can deploy multiple units during site visits or increase the frequency of monitoring to gather more granular data.

The recent example in Australia serves as a critical use-case  of how micro-AUVs play an important role in providing essential research for regulators and governments. As the debate surrounding the repurposing of oil rigs into reefs continues, the capabilities offered by micro-AUVs will help enable more informed decisions to be made regarding the use of decommissioned oil rigs.

Hydrus

Hydrus takes the drone revolution underwater with the most advanced sonar, navigation and communications systems of any subsea vehicle. It contains a DVL, USBL, INS, acoustic and optical
modems, all tightly integrated. This enables highly reliable, fully autonomous underwater missions at your fingertips. It also provides obstacle detection and collision avoidance.

The post How Micro-AUVs can Change the Conversation About Rig-to-Reef Programs appeared first on The Robot Report.

Key Points

• Hydrus is revolutionising the aquaculture industry by offering cost-effective and sustainable solutions for monitoring seabed health.
• Tassal is utilising Hydrus to streamline seabed monitoring, resulting in improved efficiency, enhanced data quality, and reduced environmental impact.
• Hydrus empowers aquaculture companies to achieve a balance between economic success and responsible environmental practices.

Tassal is an aquaculture company based in Tasmania, Australia. It is the largest vertically integrated salmon, barramundi and prawn grower, and seafood processor in Australia, employing over 2,000 people across the country. In 2022, Tassal Group was acquired by Cooke Seafood of Canada.

Navigating the Future of Aquaculture: A Case Study with Tassal

Aquaculture, the practice of farming fish in controlled environments, holds great promise in addressing the growing demand for seafood while alleviating the strain on wild fish populations. However, aquaculture companies often find themselves at a crossroads between economic viability and environmental responsibility.

Tassal, a prominent player in Australia’s aquaculture industry, has embarked on a transformative journey to leverage Advanced Navigation’s micro-autonomous underwater vehicle (micro-AUV), Hydrus, as a data collection tool. By integrating Hydrus into their operations, Tassal aims to not only streamline their seabed monitoring process but also usher in a new era of enhanced environmental stewardship.

Beneath the Surface: Aquaculture’s Environmental Challenge Down Under

Despite its benefits — including increased seafood production, reduced pressure on wild fisheries, economic opportunities for communities, and the provision of a stable source of essential nutrients — aquaculture faces a fair share of environmental challenges. Overcrowded fish pens, waste buildup, disease outbreaks, and habitat degradation all pose significant threats to seabed health and overall marine ecosystem integrity.

For this reason, the aquaculture industry must adhere to regulations set out by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), such as a mandate to routinely monitor and maintain the health of seabeds beneath fish pens. This is done through a method known as benthic surveys, a scientific assessment designed to gather information about the organisms, sediments, and physical characteristics of the seabed.

To date, Tassal has employed tethered remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to carry out benthic sampling. This approach typically involves manual labor and expensive equipment, and has proven to be cost-prohibitive. Furthermore, the method often yields sporadic data, making it difficult to detect and address issues in a timely manner.

Fishing for Solutions: How Hydrus is Revolutionising Aquaculture

These challenges will soon be a relic of the past thanks to micro-AUVs, such as Hydrus, a pioneer marine technology that is changing the game for aquaculture operations. Engineered with precision and innovation, this underwater robot offers aquaculture companies a cost-effective and sustainable solution to monitor seabed health.

Here are three compelling examples from our new partnership with Tassal, which demonstrate just how Hydrus is transforming the aquaculture landscape:

1. Hydrus is providing Tassal with enhanced imagery data: Unlike Tassal’s previous use of a tethered ROV, which required tilting its camera away from the seabed for simultaneous piloting and data collection, Hydrus, being fully autonomous, can position its 4K camera directly at the seabed. This captures flat, undistorted images ideal for creating a mosaic of the entire survey area. This mosaic effectively represents a digital twin of the seabed, enabling spatial and temporal analysis of changes in seabed composition over time.
2. Hydrus is improving efficiency of Tassal’s operations: Hydrus autonomously records time and location data, eliminating the need for manual data input. Tassal can also create a catalog of preset missions for Hydrus, removing the necessity for specialised ROV pilots. Anyone at the pens can simply select a mission for Hydrus to run on independently, freeing up personnel for other tasks and optimising resource utilisation. Furthermore, the data collected by Hydrus on each mission can be reviewed directly on the boat immediately after recovery.
3. Hydrus empowers Tassal to conduct benthic surveys independently and cost-effectively: By eliminating the need for specialised experts and ROV equipment, Tassal now owns the Hydrus vehicles and can use them as often as desired. This capability allows Tassal’s environmental team to more effectively investigate the seabed for anomalies and track spatial and temporal changes.

In summary, Hydrus is not just a game-changer; it’s a transformative force in the aquaculture industry, offering advanced capabilities, improved efficiency, and unprecedented independence to aquaculture operations like Tassal.

A Win-Win Solution: Hydrus Offers Benefits for Tassal and the Environment

The advantages that Hydrus can bring to the aquaculture industry will not only benefit the companies operating in the field, but they also translate into direct benefits for the environment. This can be accomplished through the following ways:

• High-Frequency Data Collection: Hydrus operates continuously, and as such, this high-frequency monitoring enables aquaculture companies to detect issues promptly, enhancing Tassal’s ability to protect their fish and the environment.
• Improved Data Quality: Hydrus offers precise and consistent data collection, reducing the risk of human error. This accuracy enhances the quality of information used by Tassal’s decision-makers, ultimately benefiting both their business operations and their environmental stewardship.
• Environmental Protection: By aiding in proactive seabed monitoring, Hydrus is helping Tassal reduce its environmental footprint. This contributes to the broader goals of preserving marine ecosystems and adhering to regulatory standards.

Operating right out of the box, Hydrus requires minimal setup, and its automated operation minimises the need for constant human presence and expensive equipment, significantly lowering the cost to carry out benthic surveys. This translates into a “win-win” solution for both Tassal and the environment.

The data sample shown above was obtained from a location outside of Tassal Group for illustrative purposes.

Charting the Course: Environmental and Economic Convergence in Aquaculture

It is essential to acknowledge that aquaculture companies often operate within the constraints of a competitive market and regulatory thresholds. While their primary goal is to remain economically viable, many are keen to improve their environmental practices. Hydrus offers a path toward achieving this balance.

Tassal’s collaboration with Advanced Navigation underscores the notion that, in the realm of aquaculture, it is indeed possible for all stakeholders to emerge as winners. The use of micro-AUVs empowers companies to monitor seabed health more effectively, which both enhances their operations and provides richer environmental data, all at a lower cost. By striking this balance, aquaculture businesses can thrive, regulators can be satisfied, and our oceans can remain healthy for generations to come.

Hydrus

Hydrus takes the drone revolution underwater with the most advanced sonar, navigation and communications systems of any subsea vehicle. It contains a DVL, USBL, INS, acoustic and optical
modems, all tightly integrated. This enables highly reliable, fully autonomous underwater missions at your fingertips. It also provides obstacle detection and collision avoidance.

The post Enhancing Aquaculture Sustainability With Hydrus appeared first on The Robot Report.