Geo-data specialist Fugro has announced that in August, it successfully completed the first deepwater AUV site survey for Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP).
The survey was completed using a dedicated geophysical survey vessel called the Fugro Equator and the Fugro ES-V AUV in water depths of 600 meters. There were no HSSE incidents during the operations.
According to Fugro, the survey results will be crucial for planning a safe drilling program, as they provide engineering and design studies with key inputs for pipeline routing and subsea structures in future deepwater field developments.
Software
Software
Aerodyne Group acquires controlling interest of Measure to create Aerodyne Measure
International drone-based managed solutions provider Aerodyne Group has acquired a controlling interest in the services business of aerial intelligence company Measure.
Known as Aerodyne Measure, the new, combined business entity will continue serving enterprise clients in North America, providing high quality aerial inspections and data analysis services.
Through the agreement, Measure will also get additional funding as it grows its stand-alone software as a service (SaaS) offering, Measure Ground Control, which is an end-to-end software platform for enterprise UAS programs.
Apex.AI, a developer of autonomous driving software, announces new investors
Autonomous driving software developer Apex.AI has announced its newest investors, which include Volvo Group Venture Capital, HELLA Ventures, and Jaguar Land Rover’s venture capital arm InMotion Ventures.
Volvo Group and Jaguar Land Rover are both well established automotive manufacturers, while HELLA is an international supplier of automotive electronics and lighting.
“We are eager to leverage their deep expertise in the mobility industry to move Apex.AI forward,” says Apex.AI co-founder Jan Becker.
Robotic Skies selected to provide UAS maintenance support for Acecore Technologies' UAS
UAS designer and manufacturer Acecore Technologies has partnered with Robotic Skies Inc. to provide customers with full-service maintenance and field repair support for Acecore’s Neo and Zoe UAS.
According to Acecore, the certified repair stations that make up the Robotic Skies Service Center network “employ the quality, standards, and practices of manned aviation maintenance in the unmanned aviation market.” Robotic Skies provides several services, including routine and field maintenance, inspections, upgrades, and aircraft on ground (AOG) support.
Aveox unveils Ultimate Torque line of brushless motors and stator/rotor sets
Aveox Inc., a developer of Brushless DC Motors, Controllers and Power Conversion Electronics, has launched its “Ultimate Torque” (UT) line of brushless motors and stator/rotor sets, which can be used for applications such as UAS propulsion and generation and robotics.
According to Aveox, the UT direct drive Torque Motors are characterized by very high motor constants (Kt ∕ ), low inertia and low weight. The company adds that proprietary designs created using Finite Element Analysis software have been optimized to deliver “high peak and continuous” torque while minimizing cogging torque and reducing weight.
Hydroid equips REMUS 600 UUV with HISAS 2040 module for customer
Hydroid Inc. has announced that it equipped a REMUS 600 UUV with the Kongsberg High-Resolution Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Sonar (HISAS) 2040 for a customer.
According to Hydroid, the integration of the in-mission processing allows for the quick download of high-resolution images from the HISAS module once the vehicle returns from its mission.
“The integration is the first of its kind at Hydroid, allowing faster processing of data to shorten post-mission analysis timelines,” says Duane Fotheringham, president of Hydroid.
“We’re excited to offer this as an option to customers who have time-sensitive missions but also need the high-resolution data of the HISAS module.”
FLIR Systems selected to produce Common Robotic System - Heavy for U.S. Army
FLIR Systems has been selected by the U.S. Army to produce the Common Robotic System – Heavy (CRS-H).
CRS-H is designed to bolster the protection of EOD Soldiers by increasing standoff to interrogate hazardous devices in various military operations, as well as in homeland defense applications.
The value of the contract is $109 million. The capability is expected to be delivered beginning in the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2020.
Gray Eagle ER UAS performs flight demonstration using Dynetics GBU-69B Small Glide Munition
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that from Aug. 21 to 22, a U.S. Army MQ-1C ER Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) UAS performed a flight demonstration using a Dynetics GBU-69B Small Glide Munition (SGM), which is a lightweight munition with increased effective range.
The demonstration was a collaborative effort between GA-ASI, the U.S. Army and Dynetics.
“The GE-ER operates at an altitude that provides an advantage when using stand-off munitions,” says David R. Alexander, president, GA-ASI.
“The reduced weight of the SGM allows the UAS to carry more munitions per aircraft.”
FLIR Systems unveils FLIR StormCaster family of UAS payloads for its UAS
FLIR Systems Inc. has introduced the FLIR StormCaster family of UAS payloads for the company’s SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider UAS.
According to FLIR, the new line launches with two multi-sensor products, the StormCaster-T and StormCaster-L. The StormCaster-T delivers continuous zoom and longwave infrared (LWIR) imaging, while the StormCaster-L provides ultra-low-light imaging, tracking, and mapping.
Ocean Infinity tests battery technology for AUVs
Following 18 months of research, development and trials, Ocean Infinity has tested new, advanced battery technology for AUVs.
Ocean Infinity says that its new 6000 meter pressure tolerant batteries provide the company’s HUGIN AUVs with greater endurance and efficiency, allowing missions to be conducted across a period of more than four days without having to change the battery.
In combination with Ocean Infinity’s multi-AUV operation, the technology also increases the possible survey range to nearly 700 kilometers per AUV, providing the industry with a “revolutionary survey platform offering,” according to the company.
