Voyis and EIVA bring geo-located mapping to camera-based VSLAM
Voyis and EIVA, both part of the Covelya Group, have introduced a significant update to Voyis VSLAM Powered by EIVA NaviSuite, bringing absolute geo-located mapping to real-time, camera-based 3D reconstruction for subsea inspection and metrology.
The update allows VSLAM-generated point clouds to be placed directly into global coordinate systems from the start of an inspection mission, rather than being confined to relative, locally referenced models. According to the companies, this marks the first time that real-time visual mapping has been natively aligned with global geodetic reference frames, closing a long-standing gap between camera-based navigation and established offshore survey standards.
EIVA’s geodesy tools, which have supported professional subsea survey and inspection workflows for more than four decades, now sit at the core of the updated VSLAM solution. By embedding NaviSuite’s geodetic engine directly into Voyis’ visual mapping technology, users can apply the same coordinate handling, consistency and reliability typically associated with acoustic and inertial survey systems to real-time visual data.
Tied to global reference system
Before data acquisition begins, operators can define geodetic settings, including selecting coordinate systems from the full EPSG library. As a result, every 3D point generated by the VSLAM engine is immediately tied to a known global reference frame. The system reads the initial global position from a connected inertial navigation system, such as the Sonardyne SPRINT-Nav, and places the visual map into the selected geodetic frame at mission start. That global alignment is maintained throughout the dive, even during relocalization or loop-closure events, while the VSLAM engine continues refining local map geometry in the background.
The companies say the shift from relative to globally consistent visual mapping has practical implications for both pilots and surveyors. Real-time VSLAM point clouds can now be displayed directly over background maps, reference charts or seabed models, improving situational awareness during operations. A priori models, such as CAD drawings of subsea structures, can be overlaid for immediate comparison, while inspection targets and points of interest can be marked in absolute coordinates and revisited across dives, days or vessels.
From an operation perspective
From an operational perspective, the update is intended to improve consistency, efficiency and repeatability in subsea inspection workflows. Globally aligned visual maps allow operators to resume inspections precisely where previous missions ended, simplify correlation with engineering drawings and historic survey datasets, and reduce redundant coverage by aligning live visual data with known structures. The added spatial context also supports safer and more intuitive ROV navigation, with benefits for tether management and return-to-start positioning.
Once collected, point clouds generated with Voyis VSLAM Powered by EIVA NaviSuite can be further managed within NaviModel, where datasets can be reprojected into alternative reference frames as project requirements evolve. This supports long-term compatibility with engineering standards and inspection archives.
Looking ahead, Voyis and EIVA position the update as a foundation for more autonomous subsea operations. By unifying real-time visual perception with trusted geodetic frameworks, the companies aim to support higher-confidence underwater robotics across offshore energy, defence and marine science, reinforcing the Covelya Group’s broader focus on survey-aligned perception systems for next-generation subsea platforms.
