SeeByte, in partnership with Blue Bear, have been awarded a contract by Defence Science and Technology laboratory (Dstl) under the Progeny Maritime Research Framework to research and develop a secure architecture for Mixed Multi-Domain Swarms (MMDS) of Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS).

SeeByte Ltd, the global leader of smart software solutions for uncrewed maritime systems, has been awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite- quantity (IDIQ) contract to support the US Navy’s MK18 Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle Family of Systems program.

The 42m, 270-tonne vessel arrived in Portsmouth this week and is named after former Royal Navy sailor and Nobel Prize winner Patrick Blackett.

Cellula Robotics Ltd. (Cellula) is pleased to announce we are six months into a contract with Trusted Autonomous Systems (TAS), to develop the next generation of fuel cell powered, Extra-Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV). Funded by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and in collaboration with sovereign sub-contractors, project SeaWolf is set to debut the first 12m XLUUV hull in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Unmanned maritime systems software experts, SeeByte, have been awarded a contract under Dstl’s R-Cloud framework to continue work with the SCI-343 Research Task Group (RTG) “Enabling Federated, Collaborative Autonomy”.

Accelerating the development of robotics and autonomous systems (RAS) will be a significant enabler to reaching Net Zero, according to new research from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.

SeeByte, the global leader in creating smart software for unmanned maritime systems, announce the renewal of all SeeTrack and Neptune licences currently operated by the Royal Navy’s Maritime Autonomous Systems Trials Team (MASTT). As part of the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Mine Countermeasures and Hydrographic Capability programme, SeeByte, working in conjunction with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK will be offering full support and maintenance for MASTT. The software is integrated into their AUV fleet to coordinate the vehicles during Mine Countermeasure (MCM) missions.

The MAS project is a two year programme, supported by Innovate UK and DSTL, to develop a pressure tolerant battery pack capable of powering autonomous vehicles to ocean depths of 6,000m using next generation Lithium Sulfur cells. With just 6 months remaining until completion, the consortium, led by Steatite, and consisting of OXIS Energy, MSubs and the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) has made tremendous advances in battery capability through extensive design and testing.The project is now moving towards full open water trials in two deep dive vehicles.

Another Greensea system is entering the market – this time with the versatile, long duration, Exocetus Coastal Glider. Greensea is providing their commercially available navigation, control, and automation product based on their patent-pending OPENSEATM operating platform – the first operating platform for the marine industry – for the command and control of the Exocetus vehicle and sensors. The Exocetus AUV carries more payload and is faster than competing gliders. It also operates well in changing salinity conditions common along the coast. “But the main differentiator for users is its open architecture design and ease-of-use,” said Joe Turner, Co-founder.

Steatite, a leader in the development of power solutions for extreme environments, has formally become a partner with the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre. With over 30 years’ experience in the development of lithium batteries, Steatite’s move into the Innovation Centre is a sign of the company’s potential to secure their position as global leader for innovative power solutions for deep-sea Marine Autonomous Systems (MAS). The National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and Steatite already form part of a UK consortium, using the latest lithium-sulfur chemistry to research and develop safe, pressure tolerant, rechargeable batteries with increased endurance and reduced payloads, optimizing their potential for integration with MAS.

ROV services company, Rovco, has secured Innovate UK funding which will enable the firm to carry out extensive research and development activity and perform a full feasibility study into the advancement of underwater 3D modelling technology. Once developed into a real-time inspection system this technology has the potential to revolutionise the way energy companies manage and inspect their subsea assets, potentially saving hundreds of millions of pounds in subsea inspection costs each year. The project will be 70% supported by Innovate UK and the remaining 30% will be funded by Rovco. The newly-formed company will be seeking further equity investment in the 2nd quarter 2017 as it looks to engage with subsea companies, software developers and universities across the country to become collaborative partners in the firm’s latest venture.

AutoNaut Ltd, a global leader in autonomous wave propelled vessels, has formally become a partner with the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre. UK-based AutoNaut and the NOC has enjoyed a long-term relationship since 2013 and this move is a sign of the company’s increasing ambitions. Recent investment from the Seiche Group has enabled AutoNaut to expand manufacturing facilities and engineering expertise as well as recruit several new members of staff. A desk in the innovation centre will be utilised by AutoNaut Ltd technical and business development personnel to work alongside the NOC’s marine autonomy and robotics team.

Thales, a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Transport, Defence and Security markets, announced today that it will be taking space in the Marine Robotics Innovation Centre at the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) in Southampton to facilitate its ongoing partnership with the NOC on marine autonomy projects. Thales and the NOC are currently working together on the regulatory, environmental risk, policies and laws associated with Marine Autonomous Systems.