Aquabotix Technology Corp. (Fall River, Massachusetts, USA) introduced its second-generation hybrid underwater vehicle, the Integra AUV/ROV (autonomous underwater vehicle/remotely operated vehicle).
Single-person deployable, portable, and lithium ion battery-powered, the vehicle allows users to conduct multiple underwater missions while providing a cost-efficient alternative to deploying separate vehicles.
Designed for inspections, the underwater vehicle can be configured with multiple sensors and maneuvered by an easy-to-use intuitive platform accessible from any web-enabled device. It can be used across many sectors, including research, environmental assessment, and infrastructure.
The vehicle can search wide areas using untethered AUV mode, and conduct detailed inspections using tethered ROV mode. Users can easily switch modes by attaching the tether to remotely control the vehicle’s six degrees of freedom of motion.
“Our second-generation hybrid leverages the strongest innovative capabilities of both types of underwater vehicles,” says chief technology officer Durval Tavares. “Yet in utilizing our hybrid digital platform, users no longer need two vehicles to explore and conduct tasks underwater. Now, they can activate AUV mode for broad range searches, while switching to ROV capabilities for more in-depth analysis.”
Source: Aquabotix, www.aquabotix.com.