U.S.-based developer of subsea autonomous robotic systems and software Nauticus Robotics has entered into a partnership with Florida Atlantic University (FAU) for the further testing of its flagship underwater vehicle Aquanaut Mark 2.
The partners will perform vehicle development testing in protected waters near FAU’s Institute for Ocean and Systems Engineering Dania Beach facilities as well as in the deeper waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
“Working at FAU this summer has provided a perfect platform to efficiently test the Aquanaut vehicle, in both protected waters for product development and open waters for data collection and sea trials. The location, and campus, at FAU has allowed us to expedite the Aquanaut system technology in preparation for commercial use,” said Daniel Dehart , Nauticus Robotics’ Vice President of Field Operations.
According to Nauticus, the partnership is expected to result in approximately 90% savings on vehicle development testing – a phase that requires both shallow and deeper waters to fully test functionality while maintaining real-time communication via tether for instant feedback. It also allows the performance of tetherless missions that simulate operations the Aquanaut vehicle is designed to accomplish. Without this partnership, testing in mid-range water depths would require the use of more expensive ocean-going vessels.
The company has also revealed it was planning to continue testing Aquanaut vehicles in conjunction with FAU.
Aquanaut is currently undergoing its final testing and will move to the Gulf of Mexico later this month to begin commercial operations. Once ready, the second Aquanaut vehicle is planned to take its place at FAU to continue the development of the next round of capabilities.