Autonomous underwater robotics company Nauticus Robotics has successfully completed testing of its flagship submarine, the Aquanaut Mark 2, in the Gulf of Mexico. The introduction of this vehicle will enhance large-scale commercial operations for inspection and maintenance in subsea production fields.
The Aquanaut Mark 2 and its scope in the marine industry
The Aquanaut Mark 2 conducted a series of autonomous tests at a decommissioned field off the coast of Louisiana. Its capabilities include leak detection , obstacle avoidance , and underwater visual inspections, all without relying on traditional tethers or cables. Additionally, the vehicle uses acoustic communications to receive and adjust missions in real time, a technological advance in marine autonomy.
Nauticus Vice President of Field Operations Daniel Dehart detailed the importance of this breakthrough for the industry, highlighting that “ customers have shown great enthusiasm for the high-quality results obtained without the need for cables .” Among the images captured by the vehicle, a tr have been published on the company’s official account on X (formerly Twitter), showing the precision of the system in underwater environments.
Nauticus has also collaborated with SeaTrepid , a company with which it is working to integrate autonomy into its ROV fleet. According to SeaTrepid director Bob Christ, the incorporation of these technologies will improve the quality and efficiency of underwater operations, while reducing operating costs and polluting emissions produced on the high seas.
The demonstration of the new Aquanaut Mark. Source: Nauticus Robotics
Nauticus’ proprietary ToolKITT software has optimized the functionality of the Aquanaut, enabling the transition to a future where subsea operations are more efficient, safe and less dependent on human intervention. The vehicle is currently working in deep waters, approximately 1,000 meters, demonstrating its ability to operate in demanding conditions.
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Source and photo: Nauticus Robotics