2G Robotics and Sonardyne International, UK, have entered into a formal collaboration agreement.
The two organisations are working together on the development and promotion of a dynamic underwater laser mapping solution which reduces the time needed to survey seafloor sites and offshore structures.
The new agreement centres on the integration of Sonardyne’s acoustically-aided inertial navigation system for underwater vehicles, Sprint-Mapper, with 2G Robotics’ ULS-500 Pro dynamic underwater laser scanner.
The new technique uses the 2G Robotics ULS-500 Pro laser scanner fitted to an underwater vehicle to capture high density point clouds of subsea assets and environments.
As the vehicle moves around the site, the Sprint-Mapper hardware, also fitted to the vehicle, simultaneously collects raw acoustic and inertial navigation data.
On completion of the survey, the raw navigational data is post-processed and merged with the laser data to produce a geo-referenced 3D point cloud from which centimetric level or better engineering measurements can be taken.
Edward Moller , global business manager for Construction Survey at Sonardyne said, “The level of detail visible in the post-processed images we’ve gathered on projects in recent months, has to be seen to be believed; small bolt-holes, individual chain links, marine growth and even painted markings can all be clearly seen. In terms of wide-area seabed visualization, it’s a real game-changer.”
Chris Gilson , product development manager at 2G Robotics said, “This new partnership eliminates the complexities most subsea customers face when integrating multiple systems. The detail afforded by the integration of our technologies allows clients to not only capture superior data but also more effectively compete for projects.”