Presentation of the ecoSUB AUVs

Glasses were raised on the Planet Ocean stand at Ocean Business 2017 to toast the presentation of the ecoSUB. Terry Sloane gave a short introduction, emphasising that there’s a growing interest in smaller autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) technology – especially from the oil & gas sector, but potential applications are wider.

ecoSUB AUVs serve a wide range of sectors, with the capability to deploy useful sensors like high-accuracy CTD and fluorimeters. Many more users from research, academia and teaching will be able to access marine autonomous systems (MAS) and apply the benefits of collecting wide spatial and temporal data.

ecoSUB dramatically reduces barriers to MAS use, significantly reducing logistical challenges of launch, recovery and operations, with scope for integrated mission control and useful, focused data products to deliver key information when and where it is needed.

Commercial operators, especially in the Oil & Gas sector, see enormous potential in the affordable use of MAS for a whole range of activity, including rapid response to environmental challenges, subsea inspection and asset monitoring and support. The design of ecoSUBmwas initiated by BP International who supported its development.