Revolutionizing Subsea Inspections: DeepOcean’s Autonomous Inspection Drone Takes Home Top Award at OTC 2024
In a major development, DeepOcean has been awarded the OTC 2024 Spotlight on New Technology Award for its Autonomous Inspection Drone (AID). The AID aims to revolutionize subsea inspections by providing cost-efficient, high-quality and precise data.
The AID is the result of a collaboration between DeepOcean, Argus Remote Systems, and Vaarst, with support from Aker BP. The drone is based on the Rover MK2 ROV from Argus, with upgraded hardware and software packages.
Argus is responsible for the AID platform and navigation algorithm, while DeepOcean is in charge of the digital twin platform, mission planner software, and live view of the AID in operation. Vaarst has contributed the machine vision camera Subslam 2x for autonomous navigation and data collection.
The drone measures 1.25 x 0.85 x 0.77 m and weighs 320 kg in air. It can operate in water depths up to 3,000 m, travel in DP mode, and has station-keeping and remote control capabilities.
During subsea trials at Aker BP’s Alvheim Field in the Norwegian North Sea, the AID inspected subsea trees and other infrastructure during a 10-day campaign. Operations were supervised remotely from both the Edda Fauna vessel and Remota’s remote operations center in Haugesund, Norway.
Inspection data from the AID is streamed onshore, with the vehicle’s position continuously sent back into the digital twin for increased situational awareness. The drone’s compact size makes it ideal for small-scale inspections or surveys where larger vessels may be difficult to maneuver.
