Sponsored by The British Robotics Seed Fund
http: www.britbots.com/fund
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18 Mar 24. Exail introduces new transoceanic Uncrewed Surface Vessel. French autonomy specialist Exail has unveiled a new transoceanic Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), the DriX 0-16. With a range of 2,500 Nautical Miles (NM) and a unique naval architecture that enables the USV to withstand the most severe ocean conditions, the DriX 0-16 has been designed for 30-day deployments and can deploy multiple payloads and subsea assets.
The DriX 0-16 leverages the successful track record of the already existing DriX USV, launched back in 2017 that has accumulated over 150,000 hours of operations at sea in more than 19 countries. The new DriX 0-16 has hybrid propulsion, redundant architecture and an advanced communication systems, as well as Al-powered obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities.
“With this next-generation transoceanic low-carbon USV, we are pushing back the limits of ocean exploration, empowering collaborative autonomy between surface and subsea drones, while minimising human exposure at sea,” said Mr Olivier Cervantes, VP Maritime Autonomy Solutions at Exail. “The introduction of our new DriX 0-16 truly marks a significant stride in autonomous maritime operations, as multi-robot missions are definitely where we see the maritime industry and our own developments leaning in the coming years.”
The new USV can launch and recover a wide range of subsea assets such as Remotely Operated Towed Vehicles (ROTVs), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for inspection as well as Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). Its gondola, located below the surface, can host a wide range of payloads such as deep-water Multibeam Echosounders (MBES), Sub-Bottom Profilers (SBP) or acoustic subsea positioning and communication systems (USBL).
This makes the new DriX 0-16 especially suited for full ocean depth scientific and hydrographic surveys, geophysical and UXO surveys, as well as subsea infrastructures inspection and surveys that might require the deployment of multiple robots, says the company.
Exail is one of two companies shortlisted for the RAN’s Project SEA1905 which seeks an autonomous mine counter-measures capability.
(Source: https://www.ex2.com.au/news/)
15 Mar 24. OCCAR hosts Japan in Eurodrone programme for the first time. Following Eurodrone’s first board meeting, the organisation hosted Japanese Ministry of Defence officials in Berlin to discuss their observer status.
The Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR) – Europe’s defence programme watchdog – welcomed Japan’s inclusion in the Eurodrone programme as an ‘observer state’ for the first time.
In Berlin, on 14 March 2024, OCCAR hosted Japanese Embassy and Ministry of Defence officials, within the Acquisition, Technology and Logistic Agency, to meet representatives from participating member states – France, Germany, Italy and Spain – as well as the prime contractor, Airbus Defence and Space.
Japan initially expressed interest in the Eurodrone programme in September last year, whereupon the OCCAR director Joachim Sucker delivered a Letter of Approval confirming Japan’s observer status two months later.
‘Observer status’ is granted to non-member states that want to be involved in the programmes activities that OCCAR manages. Other observer states include Australia in the Boxer infantry fighting vehicle project, for which it has ordered 211 reconnaissance units as part of its Army modernisation, and Brazil, which obtained observer status for the Logistic Support Ship programme in 2016.
This is a unique way to enable the exportability of European defence systems during development. US military systems have flooded into the EU recently, which complicates the EU’s own defence market attractiveness. In response, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, released the Union’s first ever Defence Industrial Strategy in which it hopes to boost the continent’s market competitiveness.
Until now, the world has relied on US-manufactured drones. Japan currently operates one of Northrop Grumman‘s high altitude long endurance uncrewed aerial vehicles, the RQ-4B Global Hawk, procured in 2022, according to GlobalData intelligence.
Japan’s first participation in the Eurodrone programme comes just after the programme’s first board meeting in early March. Notably, there may be concerns that particpating nations may seek to alter the design of the Eurodrone uncrewed aerial system as the manufacturing phase is set to begin, which may lead to enduring delays down the line.
This concern stems from the fact that there has been no activity in the programme since 2020, when the global contract was formalised. A lot has happened since then – particularly during the war in Ukraine – which may have member states re-thinking their design configurations.
During the meeting, Japan’s delegation expressed its interest in the programme and in potential future collaborations with OCCAR, which will raise the value of a wakening European defence market after a sleepy two decades of complacency. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
20 Mar 24. Fincantieri and Saipem ally to spearhead subsea robotics progress. Italian companies collaborate to improve surveillance and control of underwater infrastructure.
Italian industry players Fincantieri and Saipem have joined forces to redefine the landscape of subsea operations, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop autonomous subsea vehicles and bolster surveillance and control of underwater infrastructure.
The MoU was signed at Palazzo Marina, headquarters of the Italian Navy’s General Staff, and will see the merging of Fincantieri’s industry experiences in surface vessels and submarines with Saipem’s autonomous subsea drone programme, dubbed “Hydrone”.
Saipem’s advancements in autonomous subsea drones, capable of navigating depths of up to 3,000m, underscore the company’s position as a global player in underwater technology. With roots in Marghera and Trieste, these drones have already gained experience in the offshore energy market, catering to the needs of significant energy conglomerates.
Meanwhile, Fincantieri’s legacy in submarine construction, spanning over nine decades, accentuates its role in helping to shape the future of the subsea sector. The group has delivered 180 submarines, including 105 from its Muggiano shipyard. The group’s commitment to integration between defence and civil industries is poised to drive advancements in underwater capabilities.
In February this year, the UAE’s EDGE Group and Italy’s Fincantieri also formed a joint venture, with EDGE holding a 51% stake, focusing on naval manufacturing and aiming to seize global shipbuilding opportunities, particularly in non-Nato markets.
The implications of this collaboration extend far beyond the confines of the Italian coastline. As geopolitical tensions underscore the strategic importance of the subsea domain, Fincantieri and Saipem’s alliance positions them to address the evolving challenges of maritime security and infrastructure surveillance on a global scale.
With their sights set on becoming the preeminent authority in subsea robotics and surveillance, Fincantieri and Saipem are poised to chart new waters, where they attempt to reshape underwater exploration and security. (Source: naval-technology.com)
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The British Robotics Seed Fund is the first SEIS-qualifying investment fund specialising in UK-based robotics businesses. The focus of the fund is to deliver superior returns to investors by making targeted investments in a mixed basket of the most innovative and disruptive businesses that are exploiting the new generation of robotics technologies in defence and other sector applications.
Automation and robotisation are beginning to drive significant productivity improvements in the global economy heralding a new industrial revolution. The fund allows investors to benefit from this exciting opportunity, whilst also delivering the extremely attractive tax reliefs offered by the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). For many private investors, the amount of specialist knowledge required to assess investments in robotics is not practical and hence investing through a fund structure makes good sense.
The fund appoints expert mentors to work with each investee company to further maximise the chance of success for investors. Further details are available on request.
www.britbots.com/fund
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