Video Footage of Robotic Subsea ‘Snake’
Eelume AS has released live video footage of its underwater intervention vehicles. With the support of Kongsberg Maritime as a development partner, the Eelume robot has presented itself as a snake-like vehicle designed to live permanently underwater and carry out underwater intervention tasks that would normally require the mobilisation of expensive surface vehicles for divers or launch and retrieve remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) or autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs).
The footage captured at the PREZIOSO Linjebygg Subsea Test Center during trials in the Trondheimsfjord shows the potential of the Eelume vehicle to improve inspection and light intervention operations on subsea installations. The modular, snake-like design allows the Eelume vehicle to access hard to reach points on subsea structures while its ability to shift into a U-shaped dual arm configuration allows intricate interactions using a diverse toolset including torque tools, grippers and specialised maintenance equipment.
Manoevrability
The trials verified and demonstrated the features of Eelume's underwater robot in a deep-water, marine environment. Eelume confirmed that its vehicle has superior manoeuvrability in a stable sensor and actuator platform and can provide easy access to constrained areas not accessible by conventional underwater vehicles. The Eelume solution is expected to save costs by reducing the use of surface vessels. The solution can be installed on both existing and new fields where typical jobs include:
- visual inspection,
- cleaningand
- operating valves and chokes.
These jobs account for a large part of the total subsea inspection and intervention spend.
Eelume’s recent demonstration was the culmination of the last year of development work on this exciting project, according to Richard Mills, director of Sales Marine Robotics, Kongsberg Maritime. When completed, the vehicle will operate with a wide range of tools and sensors including Kongsberg positioning, communications and potentially acoustic inspection sensors and chemical sniffers.
Intervention Demonstration Scheduled
Everything is progressing on schedule for the intervention demonstration during the latter part of 2018. The system has proven itself to be a capable inspection tool able to reach confined areas.
Eelume AS is a company sourced from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and has teamed up with the NTNU Technology Transfer Office, Kongsberg Maritime and Statoil to develop the next generation of underwater robots.
