The UK-based Modus Subsea Services has placed an order with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) for two SPICE autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV).
SPICE (Subsea Precise Inspector with Close Eyes) is expected to be delivered to Modus this year and will be used for operations in the North Sea and other sea areas.
The AUV system features a robot arm which can realize several closed inspections of pipeline, and non-contact recharging system and high data rate transfer system in underwater.
SPICE is operated using a docking station, which is said to allow it to continue operations without frequent launch and recovery.
“This multi-million-pound investment represents a significant expansion of Modus’ capability and fleet,” said Nicholas Tompkins , Modus’ CEO.
“SPICE represents a world first AUV with integrated manipulator (robot arm), designed for cable and pipeline inspections as well as more conventional, high quality, high efficiency surveys.”