How USVs Work

The unmanned survey vessels use single beam echo sounders to provide detailed maps for bathymetric surveys and volumetric calculations. They are constructed of robust marine-grade materials to handle the multitude of environments they may encounter to measure the physical features in the water bodies. They can be outfitted with any of the same hydrographic equipment of our larger vessels. Our custom-built USV “Kraken” can be equipped with our Norbit iWBMS multibeam system for highly accurate, comprehensive data collection, while bathycat is specialized for fast, single beam surveys.

The marine equivalent of flying drones, unmanned surface vessel (USV) systems have been around for a number of years and their numbers are increasing. Although these are still not as prevalent as their airborne cousins, all the indications are that SVs are here to stay. From small vessels used to automatically inspect waterways and lakes to autonomous ships carrying cargo, it is certain that in the future, many sailors will be working from a home office.

unmanned surface vessel (USV) Traditional tools used with single beam survey echosounder to control air systems, like radios and satellites can also be used by USVs. But when exploring the subsea domain, other solutions are necessary as electromagnetic waves dissipate quickly in water. This is where our acoustic, inertial and optical solutions have a role to play. Used to image the seafloor or to communicate and position systems relative to underwater equipment, we’re helping vehicle designers, owners and operators extract more value from their USVs. Either by allowing them to carry out tasks traditionally done by manned vessels in construction support or military missions, or by enabling them to explore and navigate more effectively in shallow, congested waters.

Our hydrographic survey specialists are able to access real-time data via wireless connection, to guide the USVs while mapping survey areas with single beam survey echosounder Their unique size and shape mean they can go into areas that were previously inaccessible or hard to reach. Some of these unique access areas include: shallow waters, environmentally sensitive zones, toxic/acidic waters, and areas without traditional boat access. The small size allows for faster deployment and shortens the overall survey data acquisition process. unmanned surface vessel (USV)Unmanned surface vehicle USV Unmanned Survey boat Unmanned RC survey boat